Ahead of next month’s primary to produce the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Edo State governorship election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has fixed a meeting for today in Abuja.
A party source told Nigerian Tribune that the session aimed to avoid a rancorous primary with attendant dissafection which could mar the party chances in the off-season election to hold in September.
About 26 aspirants are showing interest in the party ticket but only a few have actually picked the party nomination and expression of Interest Forms.
Aspirants in the race include: Prince Kassim Afegbua, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Hon Demnis Idahosa, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Honourable Anamero Sunday Dekeri, Honourable Festus Ebea and Prince Clem Ikanade Agba.
A former governor of Edo and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole held a meeting with the aspirants in Abuja at the weekend, ahead of Monday’s meeting at the party’s national secretariat.
Also in attendance at the meeting were leaders of the party in the 18 local government councils in the state.
A party chieftain who was privy to the meeting told Nigerian Tribune that the agenda of the meeting, was how to push for a consensus candidate.
His position was however countered by an aspirant who attended the meeting. He told Nigerian Tribune that consensus was not yet on the table.
He said: “There was nothing like that. Senator Oshiomhole only appealed to us for a seamless process to produce a credible candidate.
“A committee was actually set up to screen all the aspirants, look at our records and see who amongst us will be most formidable to challenge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. That committee is to submit its report in 48 hours.”
