Ahead of the February 17 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Edo State, the National Working Committee (NWC) will today meet with critical stakeholders.
The meeting, which is at the instance of the Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led NWC, will be held at the NWC Hall of Muhammadu Buhari House – party headquarters in Abuja at 8 pm.
The meeting was called to enable the party’s highest administrative organ, all state stakeholders and governorship aspirants to fashion out a workable free, fair and credible template for the primary and for the eventual victory of the party at the September governorship election.
Invitation letters have been sent out to the State Working Committee (SWC), all former governors, deputy governors, serving and former National Assembly members from the state and some identified governorship aspirants.
A source in the Directorate of Organisation confirmed that the meeting was at the instance of the NWC Chairman, Dr Ganduje, in line with his resolve to create a level playing ground for the best candidate to emerge.
“This meeting is a crucial one. The chairman and the NWC invited all the stakeholders in the state so that everybody would be on the same page ahead of the February 17 primary election.
“Letters have been sent out to members of the State Working Committee, all former governors, all former deputy governors, serving and former members of the National Assembly as well as some identified governorship aspirants.
“It is an enlarged stakeholders meeting. Over 100 leaders from Edo state are expected for the meeting,” our source hinted.
Those expected are former APC National Chairman and ex-governor, Senator Adams Oshiomole, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; some governorship aspirants, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; former Minister of State for Budget & National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Anamero Dekeri, Blessing Agbomhere, the APC Southsouth Zonal Organising Secretary and member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Anamero Dekeri.
Also yesterday, the Chairman of Edo Central Senatorial District Special Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tom Ikimi, said seven governorship aspirants were consulted before lawyer, Asue Ighodalo, was chosen as the consensus aspirant of the district.
The consultations, according to Ikimi, also involved 22 traditional rulers, many PDP leaders and other stakeholders in the Edo Central senatorial district.
Governorship aspirants in Edo Central senatorial district that were met with are Senator Clifford Ordia, John Yakubu, Martin Uhumoibhi, Friday Itulah, Anselm Ojezua, Marcus Onobun, and Ighodalo.
Ikimi said that Felix Akhabue, who was not part of the seven aspirants, sent an apology to the committee.
He said Ighodalo was chosen as the sole aspirant for the party’s primary election on February 22, 2024, following his overwhelming support from other aspirants and stakeholders.
(Nation)
