APC clears 12 Edo gov aspirants ahead of primary election

10th February 2024

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has given the green light to all 12 contenders eyeing the governorship seat as they gear up for the party's primary election set for February 17.

These aspirants are in the running for the state gubernatorial ticket in the upcoming September 2024 gubernatorial election.

The APC revealed that 12 hopefuls will undergo screening ahead of the party's primary election.

Notably absent at the oath-taking ceremony, held on Thursday at the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja, were the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

All 12 contenders received clearance from the party's National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee, chaired by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, following a two-day screening exercise held from February 8 to February 9, 2024.

This announcement was made in a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Arugungu, in Abuja.

Arugungu confirmed that all cleared aspirants would receive a Certificate of Screening clearance on Saturday at the party's secretariat.

Among the cleared contenders are former Minister of State for National Economic Planning, Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo representing Edo Central; former Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; Anamero Dekeri, representing Etsako Federal Constituency; former APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and Gideon Ikhine.

Also cleared are retired Colonel David Imuse, former Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (retired); former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; Dennis Idahosa, representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency; and Dr. Ernest Umakhihe.

Arugungu's statement read, "The All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Gubernatorial Aspirants’ Screening Committee has screened and cleared all the 12 gubernatorial aspirants that physically presented themselves to be screened by the party’s screening committee.

"All the 12 aspirants who purchased the Expression of Interest Forms and Nomination Forms were screened by the screening committee over a two-day period between Thursday 8th February 2024 and Friday 9th February 2024.

"The Certificate of Screening will be presented to all the 12 Gubernatorial aspirants at the party’s Secretariat by the National Organising tomorrow Saturday 10th February 2024."