Details have emerged of how Victor Giadom, a former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress; took over the role of National Chairman of the party and overruled the result of the screening; which knocked incumbent Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki out of the race for a second term.
Indeed, 1st News can report that Giadom revealed that his action is backed by the force of law. In other words, he held that his move was steeped in legality. According to the former APC deputy scribe, he took over the position of National Chairman based on a previous court order which empowered him thus.
Further, Giadom revealed that the members of the APC National Working Committee were in full support of his action.
1st News had earlier reported that Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State; had been drafted in as National Chairman. This was after an Appeal Court ruling which upheld the suspension of erstwhile Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Also, the decision appointing Ajimobi as a replacement for Oshiomhole had been announced by spokesman of the APC; Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
This was contained in a statement released to newsmen on Tuesday.
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“According to Section 14.2. (iii), of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman; North/South ‘Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone’,” the statement read in part.
However, in a move which came as a surprise to political watchers, Giadom had taken over the position from Ajimobi today (Wednesday).
Meanwhile, Giadom had also based his decision to cancel the results of the Edo State Governorship on the fact that it was presided over by a suspended party official.
‘‘It is against the law of natural justice for the suspended chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole to have presided over the screening exercise in the Edo Governorship primary when he is an interested party,’’ Giadom had told newsmen.
Consequently, Giadom had called on the aspirants to report for a fresh screening.
This, he noted, would be conducted between today and tomorrow, Thursday June 18, 2020.
Meanwhile, 1st News had equally reported that Obaseki had announced his exit from the party yesterday. It remains to be seen what impact the new development in the leadership of the APC would have on his decision.
