The Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has adopted the report of the party's Edo State June 18, 2016 Governorship Primary Appeals Committee.
This was made public by the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, at the APC National Secretariat, on Monday.
Buni said the party leadership upheld the panel's recommendation that the winner of the primary, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, should be confirmed as its standard bearer for the forthcoming governorship election.
The party's decision was sequel to the receipt and consideration of the Opeyemi Bamidele-led three-member Appeal Committee.
Other members of the committee are Alhaji Mustapha Salisu and Mrs. Ekwy Onyido.
While submitting its report a few weeks ago, the committee said it received petitions from two aspirants - Kenneth Imansuagbon and Chris Ogiemwonyi - after which it met with the petitioners as well as the respondent.
The Appeal Committee said after meeting with them and carrying out independent investigations, it came to the conclusion that the primary was valid.
The committee said while it did not dismiss the seriousness of the allegations and claims of the petitioners, the issues they raised were not compelling enough to warrant the cancellation of the primary.
It appealed to all APC stakeholders in Edo State to put the party's interest above their personal interests in order to ensure a speedy and amicable reconciliation of the crisis.
The committee's recommendations include an appeal to the party leadership to speed up diplomatic efforts to reconcile party stakeholders across the state.
It also urged the party's national chairman to "consolidate on his involvement" in reaching out to all aggrieved parties.
The appeals committee also recommended that a high-powered committee be set up by the APC to reach out and mediate between the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, and all the aspirants who participated in the primary.
Shortly after the announcement of the party's position on the issue, the party's National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, issued a statement, congratulating Obaseki on his emergence as the party's standard bearer.
He also congratulated the Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari-led seven-member Election Committee for successfully conducting what he described as a very transparent, free, fair and credible governorship primary in Edo State.
The statement partly read, "He also thanked the Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele-led three-member Edo State governorship Election Appeal Committee for successfully carrying out its assignment and submitting a report.
"Odigie-Oyegun also appealed to party stakeholders to close ranks and support Obaseki in the build-up to the forthcoming Edo State governorship election."
Meanwhile, Obaseki has confirmed the selection of the member representing Etsako Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Philip Shaibu, as his running mate.
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