The governorship primary conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State on Monday has been declared illegal by the embattled former National Chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Sheriff, in a letter to Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, signed by him and the National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, told the Commission to disregard the process that produced Osagie Ize-Iyamu as candidate of the party for the September 10, 2016 poll.
He said the exercise was conducted by an illegal caretaker Committee set up by the PDP, which is led by his rival, Ahmed Makarfi.
According to him, the party will conduct a proper primary in the state.
In another statement, Sheriff announced the appointment of some deputy national Officers as members of the National Working Committee in acting capacity.
The party said that it is acting in pursuance to a resignation of five (5) members of NWC and in accordance with the provisions of sections 39(2), 42 (2), 43 (2), 44 (2) and 47 (6) of the Constitution of the party 2012 as amended.
The newly appointed officers are: Okey Nnadozie, Acting National Organizing Secretary; Alonge-Niyi Dennis, Acting National Youth Leader; Mrs Hannatu Ullam, Acting National Women Leader; and Barrister Bashir Maidugu, Acting National Legal Adviser.
Sheriff noted that the appointments are with immediate effect.