Posted by The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday awarded Certificates of Screening to the 12 candidates vying for the Edo governorship ticket on November 21.
The APC Edo State Gubernatorial hopefuls’ Screening Committee vetted and cleared all 12 gubernatorial hopefuls who showed up for screening late Friday night, ahead of the party’s primary poll on Saturday, February 17.
The Screening Committee evaluated all 12 candidates who purchased Expressions of Interest and Nomination Forms over two days, from Thursday, February 8, to Friday, February 9, 2024.
They include 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 retired Gen. Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere, Prof. (Sen.) Oserheimen Osunbor, Blessing Agbomhere, Hon Dennis Idahosa, and Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.
During the presentation, Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, reassured the aspirants that the party would be fair to all, and that any of the 12 who emerged would have the support of the other contenders for the ticket, ensuring victory for the APC.
Duru advised the 12 applicants to conduct themselves as party members in a cordial and courteous manner, emphasizing that only the National Working Committee has the authority to screen candidates for the party’s ticket, as it has done previously.
“We will hold free, fair, and transparent primaries in Edo state in such a way that any of the 12 candidates who emerge as our candidate will also have the support of the other aspirants, allowing us to go into the election as a united body and party to win the election in Edo state, where we are an opposition but a party in government at the center.
“We promise that only the national body or the NWC has the authority to convene a screening exercise, and we completed that activity. We are working closely with the state chairman, the party’s interim chairman in Edo, and will keep him updated on the NWC’s progress.
“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 went on to say.
Speaking to journalists, APC Acting Chairman for Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, said the state chapter of the party was ready for the upcoming primary election and guaranteed aspirants of a level playing field.