The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the direct mode of primary election instead of the indirect mode as earlier communicated to pick a governorship candiate for 2023 Kogi State election.
APC informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as aspirants of its decision to adopt the direct mode in a letter dated April 6, 2023, and signed by the acting national chairman of the APC, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
The letter reads in part; “We refer to our earlier letter dated 25th January, 2023, with reference no: APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/023/191 wherein we notified the Commission of the mode of primary election for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State.
“However, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reviewed the modalities for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State and has therefore resorted to adopt the DIRECT mode of primary election instead of the Indirect Mode as earlier communicated.
“The date for the conduct of the primary election still remains Friday 14th April, 2023.
“Following the above, there shall be a Special Congress to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State scheduled for Saturday, 15th April, 2023.”
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the Kogi State APC delegates list for the purpose of nominating a governorship candidate for the party in the November governorship election.
Justice James Omotosho while delivering judgement, voided the ward and local government congresses said to have been conducted on February 7 on the grounds that they were not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, and the Constitution of the APC.
However, stakeholders of the party across the country said the judgment was only an academic exercise as the party had already decided to adopt the direct mode well ahead, despite winning two cases on the same matter in the previous week.