Over 2000 delegates to elect Edo governorship candidate Chinenye Ugonna 43 minutes ago 2782 – The Edo state governorship primaries scheduled for June 18, 2016  – The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Izunaso announced that 2873 delegates will elect the party’s Edo state governorship candidate –  A high-powered seven-member election committee and three-member election appeal committee was inaugurated Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Osita Izunaso (left) handing over relevant documents for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries to the Chairman of the Election Committee, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari at the Party’s National Secretariat on Thursday.   The National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Izunaso on Thursday, June 16, at the party’s national secretariat announced that 2873 delegates will elect the party’s Edo state governorship candidate at the primaries scheduled for June 18, 2016 in the Edo state capital, Benin City. Also, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni on behalf of the party, inaugurated a high-powered seven-member election committee and three-member election appeal committee for the 2016 Edo State governorship election primaries. The seven-member election committee is chaired by Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari. Other members are Andrew Uchendu , Yusuf Maianguwa, Tunde Esan, Alh. Shuaibu Musa, Alh. Ibrahim Soja and Mr. Amara Iwuanyanwu. The three-member election appeal committee is chaired by Opeyemi Bamidele, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mustapha Salisu and Mrs. Ekwy Onyido. Going by the APC 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office, delegates for the 2016 APC Edo governorship election primaries committee are constituted into an electoral college comprising 12 principal officers of the ward executive committee, all members of the local government executive committee from all the local government areas in the state.

It also comprises of all members of the State Executive Committee, all members of the National Executive Committee from the State, all members of the Board of Trustees and National Caucus from the State and all elected persons from the State. Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the election committee who is also Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari said the committee had no preferred candidate. He said the committee will ensure justice and fairness to all the contestants. He assured the pary that he will produce the best and justice shall prevail. “We have no preferred candidate, we have no friends and what we will be doing in Edo, we will be doing for APC, for Nigeria and for the Edo people. “What is most important is that we have gone through this process. I have a bitter experience of this process and I know how a party can lose election through an unfair and unjust primaries. It has happened in my state and in so many states. “This is a very critical and important assignment considering the number of candidates and the strength of our party and that of the opposition in the state. “That will make us do what is right for the people of Edo state and for APC as a political party. I am assuring you that what will come out of this exercise will be a result that can stand in any court of law because you cannot rule out the possibility of somebody going on appeal.

What is critical is peace and the cooperation of the contestants. They are 12 and they need each other. Either win or lose, they still need each other. This is a very important and critical work and I am assuring the party that we are going to do the best to ensure Justice and fairness to all the contestants.” Also speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Opeyemi Bamidele expressed confidence that there will be no reason for appeal after the primaries. “I want to thank the leadership of our party for the opportunity to also add value in our own little way. The constitution of our country is very clear and in cases that has been decided by Election Petition Tribunals, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court is very clear that before any aspirant can come to court, you must not only explore, but must have exhausted the internal mechanism available within the party of trying to protest or complain before coming to the court room. “It is in that regard that we see the assignment given to us by the party as a very sensitive one. “It was a delight listening to the Chairman of the Election Committee. As he has promised, I have no doubt that if anything goes well, that will also make our own lives easier. “We hope there will be reason for anyone to come to appeal, but it is easier we assume. What is more important is not the complaint but if the process of selecting the candidate is transparent, if will be easier to manage,” he said The twelve aspirants who collected the APC expression of interest and nomination forms for the Edo state governorship election include Mr. Blessing Abdulwarith Agbomhere, Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere, Fredrick Ebegue Amadasun, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula and Austin Ilenre Emuan. Others are Peter Ekhermhalomhen Esele, Kenneth Imansuangbon, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Agbarha Justina Ebeyehi Ojehor, Christopher Osa Ogiemwonyi and Oserheimen Aigberadion Osunbor. All candidates were successfully screened by the Hon. Chibudum Nwuche-led seven-member Committee. The national leadership of the party on May 10, inaugurated the five-member reconciliation committee, led by a former governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to look into the crisis rocking the party. The party scheduled its primary election for June 18 to choose the party’s candidate for the Edo governorship election coming up in September. The APC also fixed the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for all aspirants at N5.5 million, though female aspirants would be given the forms free of charge.