Juliet Buna
The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has debunked reports suggesting that aspirants have been screened or disqualified from the governorship race.
This comes in the wake of a six-man committee, headed by House of Representatives member Julius Ihonvbere, which was established to address the issue of the large number of aspirants vying for the governorship position.
Following the committee’s meeting with the aspirants, rumours surfaced claiming that the committee had screened the number of aspirants down to 10, then 6, and finally to four, leading to internal discord within the party.
However, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae, clarified that the Ihonvbere committee was established as an advisory body and not a screening committee.
He emphasized that the committee’s purpose was to engage with the aspirants and explore ways to reduce the number of candidates, ensuring a smooth and peaceful primary election scheduled for February.
He said, “There is no truth in the news making the rounds that governorship aspirants have been screened and about 25 have been disqualified.
“Based on the advice of the National Working Committee of the party, we set up a committee led by Julius Ihonvbere to interface with the aspirants on the need to reduce the number of aspirants to a manageable one. It is after the close of the sale of forms that the NWC will set up a screening committee.
“The Committee also advised the Edo APC to be in a talking relationship with the aspirants so that those who know they cannot go all the way can exit the race. So no aspirants have been screened and disqualified,” he added.
Uwadiae also said that the sale expression form, which costs N10m and the nomination form, which costs N40m were on sale for anyone who wants to vie for the governorship position on the platform of the party, noting that more aspirants are expected to join the race.
