Ahead of the February 17, 2024 governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Edo State governorship election, four aspirants that were screened out by the Hon. Julius Ihonvbere-led committee said they have accepted the outcome of the screening in good faith.
reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has slated the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State for September 21, 2024.
It was learnt that the party had set up the committee as an internal mechanism to screen and prune down the number of aspirants to a manageable level, and also to ensure a rancour free primary election.
Those that were screened out, and accepted the outcome, are Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Prince Kassim Afegbua, former commissioner for Information and Orientation.
Others are Mrs Victoria Amu and Hon. Victor Otaigbe Eboigbe.
In their separate reactions, they noted that no individual was bigger than the party.
They explained that since they subscribed to the setting up of the committee, they abide by its decisions.
In his statement to supporters, Afolabi said, “It’s with all sense of gratitude that I inform you all that the journey we started together has come to a temporary end last night.
“This is so because my great party, the APC, has zoned the governorship out of Edo North. It is still victory for us, as in less than three weeks, we made so much incursion into the political space of Edo State.