APC Clears 12 Edo Governorship Aspirants, Set for Primary

Ahead of the February 17 primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, its National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has cleared all the 12 governorship aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party for the September governorship poll.

The Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja-led seven-man screening committee on Friday night after a two-day screening exercise gave all the aspirants a clean bill to contest Saturday party’s primary.

APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu yesterday presented all the cleared aspirants with Certificate of Screening clearance at the party National Secretariat in Abuja.

The aspirants cleared include former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central; former Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.

Others cleared are the immediate past Edo APC chairman, Col. David Onabure Imuse (rtd); former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niget Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); former Governor Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.

All the aspirants but Prof. Osunbor who was represented by his wife, Lady Ussieh Osunbor, received their certificates.

Assuring the aspirants of a free, fair, transparent shadow election on Saturday, February 17, the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru told the aspirants the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) remains the only clearing house for all the processes for the election.

According to Duru: “We (NWC) are working closely with the state acting chairman of the party. We will brief him constantly on the steps being taken by the NWC to ensure free, fair and transparent primaries in the state. Where you are in doubt, please feel free and make a call to the state chairman. If you cannot reach him, you can call on the national organising secretary or myself to answer any questions at any point in time.”

He also advised the aspirants to acquaint themselves with a schedule of activities towards the conduct of the party’s primary.

“The next will then be the delegate’s Congress which will be conducted on Monday. I want to believe for those of you who don’t have the schedule. It has been produced and published which will lead us to the conduct of the primaries on the 17th, February 2024. Please do have it ready and handy.

“We would like to wish all of you the very best and ensure you conduct yourselves as members of the party in an atmosphere devoid of rancour.”