Edo 2024: APC Cuts Down 29 Governorship Aspirant List to 4

• The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo state chapter, unveiled the list of their aspirants for primary election
• Ahead of the primaries slated for Saturday, February 17, the party trimmed down the aspirants list from 29 to four
• The party leadership assured all aspirants that made the final cut of a free and fair election

Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro

Benin, Edo - At least 29 governorship hopefuls under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner in Edo State have been narrowed down to four as the February 17 primary election approaches.

This announcement came from Peter Uwadia-Igbinigie, the Publicity Secretary of Edo APC and a legal practitioner.

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Who are the candidates?

The prominent candidates include Lucky Imasuen, former Edo Deputy Governor; Dennis Idahosa, representing Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives; Col. David Imuse (rtd.), former Edo APC Chairman; and Senator Monday Okpekholo, representing Edo Central.

Imasuen and Idahosa hail from Edo South, while Imuse and Okpekholo come from Edo Central.

As quoted by The Nation, Uwadiae-Igbinigie said:

“The advisory committee, led by the representative of Owan Federal Constituency, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, had a primary objective of encouraging aspirants vying for the party’s ticket to consider reduction in their numbers.

“In the screening, the four governorship aspirants received a positive evaluation. The advisory committee operated within its terms of reference for efficient primary management.

“The initiative does not undermine the governorship aspirants’ constitutional rights in their pursuit of APC’s ticket in Edo State, evident in their procurement of the expression of interest and nomination forms.”

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APC assures free and fair primaries

The Edo APC's spokesperson reassured governorship hopefuls who've obtained the party's forms that they can expect fair treatment.

Following the party's schedule, he reminded them to be prepared for screenings on February 8 and 9.

He clarified the purpose of Ihonvbere's committee, aiming to ensure fairness and protocol adherence.

Stressing transparency and equity, he affirmed the party's dedication to a fair selection process for its gubernatorial candidate.

Edo 2024: Labour Party's governorship aspirant resigns, gives reason

Elsewhere, Dr Azemhe Azena, a gubernatorial aspirant on the Labour Party's (LP) platform in the 2024 Edo state governorship election, officially resigned from the party.

Azena, who had initially opposed the N30 million fees for expression of interest and nomination forms, had planned to participate in the party's primary election on February 22 but abruptly resigned.

During a political tour in Edo North, his decision was influenced by alleged maltreatment and obstruction by Michael Onaivi, the Akoko-Edo local government chairman of the LP.

Source: Legit.ng