The All Progressives Congress [APC] is taking steps to prune down the number of its governorship aspirants in Edo to a manageable number.
THE CONCLAVE reports that the initial number of 26 aspirants who attended the maiden meeting on Saturday where the possibility of pruning down the number featured has now increased to about 35.
Of the aspirants, only a former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, had collected both the expression of interest and nomination forms on payment of N50m
He picked the forms last Wednesday, on Day One of the exercise, as scheduled by the National Secretariat of the party.
But the party had suspended the exercise last Friday ahead of last Saturday’s meeting called at the instance of party leaders, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to explore the possibility of streamlining the number of aspirants.
A six-member committee was set up at the meeting to screen the aspirants and try to prune the number to a manageable field of aspirants.
Members of the Committee are Hon Samson Osagie, Hon Peter Akpatason, Prof Marcel Okha, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Deacon Patrick Idiaken and Mr Chris Ebaren.
The committee will interview the aspirants from 8 pm. on Monday, January 15, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
THE CONCLAVE reports that the committee has requested the aspirants to come with copies of their credentials and briefs of their development agenda for Edo State.
Meanwhile, there are feelers that the about 35 governorship aspirants may be screened and pruned down to six at two aspirants per zone.
The best of the zones who are sellable or who can win election and have enviable pedigrees would be recommended to the party for adoption.
It was, however, learnt that aspirants who disagree with the process would be protected by the constitution to go ahead with the process in spite of the party arrangement.
Aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party are Prince Clem Agba, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Hon Dennis Idahosa, Hon Anamero Subday Dekeri, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Hon Festus Ebea, and Mrs Victoria Amu, among others.
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