BREAKING: APC clears 12 Edo guber aspirants ahead of primary

Ahead of the shadow election slated for February 17th by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, the National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has granted clearance to all 12 governorship aspirants vying for the party’s ticket in the upcoming September governorship poll.

Led by Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja, the seven-man committee concluded a two-day screening exercise on Friday night, affirming the eligibility of all aspirants to participate in the party’s primary scheduled for the following Saturday.

Confirmation of this development was conveyed in a statement issued by the APC National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammadu Arugungu, in the early hours of Saturday from Abuja.

Arugungu announced that all cleared aspirants would receive their Certificate of Screening clearance by noon on Saturday at the party’s Secretariat.

The list of cleared aspirants includes prominent figures such as former Minister of State for National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo representing Edo Central; former Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; and member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri. Also on the list are former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.

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

The statement highlighted: “The Edo State Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee has screened and cleared all 12 aspirants who 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 two days between Thursday, February 8th, 2024, and Friday, February 9th, 2024.

“The Certificate of Screening will be presented to all the 12 Gubernatorial aspirants at the party’s Secretariat by the National Organizing Secretary tomorrow, Saturday, February 10th, 2024.”