By Francesca Hangeior
The All Progressives Congress has announced Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as chairman of a seven-member committee that will conduct the February 17 primary election to elect the party’s governorship candidate in Edo State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Wednesday.
Argungu also stated that Uzodimma will be assisted by the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, who has been chosen as Deputy Chairman.
He said, “Other members of the Primary Election Committee include former Osun State deputy governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; APC’s flagbearer in the Plateau State 2023 governorship election, Nentanwe Yilwatde Goshwe; Umar Musa; Lawan Garba and Rabiu Suleiman who will serve as the Secretary.”
The ruling party stated that it has constituted an appeal committee for the governorship primary election with C.C. Udenwa as chairman and Yunusa Mohammed as Secretary.
“Other members include Muhammad Zakaria Sarina; Udogu Anthony Chijoke and Muhammad Garin Ali. The nominated members of Edo State National Gubernatorial Primary Election Committee and Election Appeal Committee will be inaugurated on Thursday, 15th of February, 2024 at the party’s National Working Committee Hall by 4 pm prompt,” the statement added.
The development comes four days after the leadership of the APC cleared all the 12 aspirants jostling for the sole party ticket to contest the September 22 Edo governorship election.
The successful aspirants were immediate past State Chairman of APC, Gideon Ikhine; ex-Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Clem Agba; former Edo Governor, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor; senator representing Edo Central, Monday Okpebholo; erstwhile deputy governor, Lucky Imasuen; former governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and lawmaker representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Anamero Dekeri.
Others are ex-Zonal Organising Secretary for South-South, Blessing Agbohmere; House of Representatives member, Dennis Idahosa, former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe; Col. David Imuse and Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd).