The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed that 12 aspirants will participate in the screening process for the party’s primary election scheduled for February 17. This announcement came from the National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Arugungu, in a statement released in Abuja.
The race to select a viable candidate for the party in Edo State commenced in January with 23 aspirants expressing interest. However, only 12 candidates have acquired the N50m Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
The successful aspirants include the immediate past state Chairman of APC, Gideon Ikhine; ex-Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Clem Agba; senator representing Edo Central, Monday Okpebholo; erstwhile deputy governor, Lucky Imasuen; former governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and lawmaker representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Anamero Dekeri. Other aspirants are ex-Zonal Organising Secretary for South-South, Blessing Agbohmere; House of Representatives member, Dennis Idahosa; former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe; Col. David Imuse; Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd); and Emmanuel Momoh.
Additionally, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has been appointed as head of the screening committee, which will be inaugurated at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja. The committee consists of seven members and is set to be inaugurated on Thursday.
Furthermore, a five-man committee will be established for the screening appeal, with Senator Ibrahim Danbaba leading as the chairman and Smart Iheazor as the secretary. The appeal committee members include Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Adeoye Adelakun, Darlington Dick, Lawal Kenken, Margaret Duru, and Sani Danjuma.
The Screening Appeal Committee is comprised of members Bisi Odewumi, Ngozi Ononiwu, and Abubakar Sidiq.
