APC postpones by-election as committee affirms disqualification of Aregbesola’s aide

The All Progress Congress (APC) has postponed the by-election primary of the Osun West senatorial district, which was planned to hold on Monday, June 12.

The primary election, which is expected to produce the party candidate for the July 8 Osun West senatorial by-election, will now hold on Tuesday, June 13th.

According to the chairman of the screening committee, Hon. Sanusi Rikiji, the postponement was to enable the party’s national working committee take a decision on the findings of the appeal committee.

He said, “Today is fixed but it has been formally postponed for 24-hour. It is to enable the National Working Committee to study the outcome of the appeal committee report. Based on the report, we are expecting the outcome of the NWC.

“Tomorrow, accreditation starts by 08am in Egbedere Local Government. This is our position.”

Asked why the need for venue change, he said, “The venue was changed due to security report that the governor of the state confirmed to this committee that the new venue is more secured compared to Iwo because of the recent security issue that arise from there. Recently, armed robbery occurred there and a lot of people were killed.”

If the NWC upholds the disqualification of Hussein, the screening committee chairman said, “Yes, it is a written provision that when we have one candidate unopposed, affirmative process will take place.”

Accused of not verifying Hussein’s resignation, he added, “The provision of the party guideline and constitution is very clear. We took a position that is in the best interest of our party. Whoever is contesting must be conversant with the rule of the game . The question of whether we asked or not does not apply. We did that in good faith.

“The issues are incurable differences that arise from the party and country’s constitution. Those in the game understands why. The appeal committee is subjective to the NWC.”

Recall that the All Progressives Congress Screening Committee had disqualified the Osun State Commissioner for Cabinet Matters, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, from participating in the senatorial primary earlier scheduled to hold on Monday.

The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on April 23 and the Independence National Electoral Commission has fixed July 8 for the by-election.