At the end of Monday deadline, the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), raked in N600m from sales of expression of interest and nomination forms for the Edo governorship ticket.Â
The proceed was from 12 aspirants who picked the N50 million forms ahead of the February 17 party primaries.
Checks from the Directorate of Organisation of the party at Muhammadu Buhari House in Abuja showed that no female aspirant picked the form, making it an all-male contest.
Top on the list is the former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central; former Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri and former APC governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Others are Engr. Gideon Ikhine, the immediate past Edo APC chairman Col. David Imuse; Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); Hon. Emmanuel Momoh, former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South); Blessing Agbohmere, member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency; Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.
The APC National Working Committee (NWC) after consultation with critical stakeholders from the State settled for a direct mode of shadow election.
It also resolved not to zone the ticket but make it open to aspirants from the three Senatorial zones.
Twenty-nine aspirants had shown interest in picking the party’s ticket for the Government House on Dennis Osadebe Avenue, Benin.
But Prof. Julius Ihonvbere’s screening committee set up by the stakeholders later trimmed the number of aspirants from 29 to six and finally four.
The decision of the Ihonvbere committee was however jettisoned by the aspirants.
APC NWC also frowned at the decision to trim the number of aspirants as the Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru l said the party’s highest administrative organ remains the only organ saddle with the responsibility to vet and clear aspirants for the February 17 primary.
