The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday issued Certificates of Screening to the 12 aspirants contesting for its ticket to vie for the November 21 Edo governorship election.
The APC Edo State Gubernatorial Aspirants’ Screening Committee had screened and cleared all the 12 gubernatorial aspirants who physically presented themselves for screening late Friday night ahead of the party’s primary election slated for Saturday, February 17.
All the 12 aspirants who purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms were screened by the Screening Committee over a two-day period between Thursday, February 8, and Friday, February 9, 2024.
They are Prince Clem Agba, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Lucky Imasuen, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri, Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu, Engr. Gideon Ikhine, and Col. David Imuse (Rtd.).
Others include Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (Rtd.), Prof. (Sen.) Oserheimen Osunbor, Blessing Agbomhere, Hon Dennis Idahosa, and Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.
In his remarks during the presentation, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, reassured the aspirants that the party would be fair to all so that any of the 12 who emerged would get the support of the other contenders for the ticket to secure victory for the APC.
Duru urged the 12 aspirants to conduct themselves as members of the party in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour and be friendly, stressing that only the National Working Committee has the powers to screen contenders for the party’s ticket as already done.
“We will conduct a free, fair, transparent primaries in Edo state in a manner that any of the 12 that emerge as our candidate will also have the support of the other aspirants so that we can go into the election as a united body and party to cling the election in Edo state where we are an opposition but we are party in government at the centre.
“We guarantee that it is only the national body or the NWC that has the power to convoke a screening exercise and we concluded that exercise. We are working closely with the state chairman, the acting chairman of the party in Edo and we will brief him constantly on the steps that are being taken by the NWC.
“We wish you the very best and then continue to enjoin you to conduct yourselves as members of the party in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour, be friendly,” he added.
Speaking with journalists, the APC Acting Chairman for Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe said the state chapter of the party was prepared for the forthcoming primary election and assured aspirants of a level playing field.
