Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, has said the party will conduct free and fair primaries to select candidates for the 2026 local government election scheduled for November 2026.
Tenebe stated this on the heels of a statement claiming that the party had ceded its tickets to the 2023 aspirants who paid him a courtesy visit.
The aspirants had pleaded with the party to be given automatic tickets to contest in 2026 having worked for the APC.
Tenebe in statement dismissed the impression generated by the visit and assured interested aspirants of free and credible primaries.
He said, “For clarification sake, no ticket has been ceded to anyone but in APC culture of rewarding members who stood by the party when we were in opposition, and ensured that APC remained relevant, the party will reward them for their heroic service.
“Going ahead, the party notes with concern the wrong understanding of our Constitution with regards to the conduct of primaries for the different elective offices, including in this case, the local government council election.
“It is the responsibility of the State Working Committee, not leaders, to screen any intending aspirant and conduct primaries in line with the Electoral Guidelines to produce the candidates for the November 2026 Local Government Election.
“In line with these fundamental party requirements, our members should discountenance the falsehood of Abdullahi Abubakar who our check revealed is a ghost member of APC”.
