The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) now has another win in the bag as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested for membership register of parties especially the APC that has signalled its adoption of the direct mode of primary.

The commission requested that the register should come from the ward, local government State and up to the national level on 1st June, 2020 in preparation for the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo.

It would be recalled that the State chapter of the party in Edo last month opted for the indirect primaries with the reason being its inability to properly produce a membership register of all party members in the State.

According to investigations done by my team, the register ought to be updated every six (6) months but the register in Edo State has not been updated for over a year.

Meanwhile the national leadership of the APC is being prevailed upon by some leaders of the party to opt for the indirect mode of primaries as the number of Coronavirus cases continues to skyrocket.

Another reason adduced by the leaders is that submitting an improperly produced register could be another subject of future Court processes, which the party cannot afford at this critical times.

This new move by INEC, We gathered is a huge win on the part of the chapter of the All Progressives Congress in Edo. It was learnt that such a register when produced, would help reduce manipulation of the primaries as only duly registered party members will be allowed to vote. It was widely circulated a week ago that those opposing the governor hinged their confidence on the manipulation of the direct primaries, hence the request by INEC.

Oshiomhole

Party primaries according to the Electoral umpire will commence on the 2nd of June to 27th of June. However, Governor Godwin Obaseki has stated that he is confident of winning notwithstanding the method of primaries.