The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will display all credentials submitted by all aspirants in the forthcoming Edo governorship election, for claims and objection.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Friday, signed and issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Igbere TV understands that the decision of the APC was informed by the Bayelsa 2019 governorship experience where the party lost out in Court due to questionable credentials of the deputy governor-elect.
“In our bid to ensure due diligence and transparency in the screening exercise and learning from our recent shocking experiences, we are determined to avoid any lapses in the process,” the APC said.
“Therefore, we are making the submitted information and documents of the governorship aspirants available to our party members and the public for verification of claims and to support the screening panel with information or any objection to the claims contained in the submission by the aspirants.
“Consequently, the various submissions will be displayed at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja and in Benin City, the Edo State capital from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th June, 2020 for claims and objections.
“We are inviting party members and indeed members of the public to assist the screening committee by scrutinizing the information, credentials and documents provided by the governorship aspirants and availing the Screening Committee of counter and correct information, if applicable,” the party added.
The APC said six Governorship aspirants obtained and submitted their forms and are to be screened for the Party’s June 22, 2020 Primary Election to elect the Party’s Edo state governorship candidate.
“The six aspirants who have bought, completed and submitted the Party’s expression of interest and nomination forms are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, H.E. Godwin Obaseki, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Hon. Osaro Obazee and Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.
“Recall that in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, APC had earlier released its time table and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Primary Elections in Edo States.
“Accordingly, sales of nomination and expression of interest forms began at the APC National Secretariat from Wednesday 20th May to Tuesday 2nd June, 2020.
“The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents was
Wednesday 3rd June, 2020.
“As earlier stated, publication of claims and objections will be from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th June, 2020.
“Screening of aspirants has been slated for Wednesday 10th to Thursday 11th June, 2020.
“This will be followed by Screening Appeal which will hold on Friday 12th June, 2020.
“The Primary Election will hold on Monday 22nd June, 2020, while Election Appeal has been slated for Wednesday 24th June, 2020.”
