Okpebholo, Ebea, Imuse Emerge Likely APC Aspirants

In a bid to reduce the number of aspirants ahead of the primaries for the 2024 Edo governorship election, leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and aspirants in Edo Central Senatorial District have met and cut down the number to three.

The first stage of the internal screening exercise by the party in Edo Central may also take place in Edo North and Edo South senatorial districts of the party.

It was gathered that the pre-screening of aspirants by the leadership of the party was to zero down on a particular aspirant that  would go for the primary against other aspirants from Edo North and South.

Leadership gathered that the likely aspirants that scaled through the hurdle include former deputy speaker, Hon. Festus Ebea, Senator Monday Okpebholo and Edo State APC chairman, Col. David Imuse (rtd).

The meeting which was said to have the blessing of a respected and influential leader of the party was  held at the residence of Edo Central APC leader, General Cecil  Esekhaigbe in Abuja.

A source privy to the meeting said the senator representing Edo Central at the National Assembly, Senator Monday Okpebholo, appears to be having an edge over other  aspirants.

“The idea is for Edo Central senatorial district to push forward a strong aspirant that is popular and acceptable across board. Of course, such aspirant will contend with other aspirants from Edo North and South.

“As a party, we are also conscious of the sentiment about Edo Central producing the successor to Governor Godwin Obaseki come 2024 governorship and this screening is an Edo Central initiative,” he stated.