Edo Governorship Primary Election: APC projects to raise N1bn from aspirants

· Fixes N10m for Expression of Interest form

· Pegs N40m for nomination form

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is looking to rake in a princely N1 billion from aspirants jostling for the party’s governorship ticket.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 21, 2024 for the governorship election in the State.

Preparatory to the election, the APC has fixed Saturday, February 17, 2024 for its guber primary election.

This was contained in a schedule of activities and time-table for the 2024 gubernatorial election in Edo State issued by the National Organising Secretary, HE Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu.

The party has announced Wednesday, January 10, 2024 and Monday, January 29, 2024 as the date for sale of nomination and expression of interest forms and sale of delegate form.

Whereas the expression of interest form is fixed at N10 million, nomination form is pegged at N40 million while delegate form is put at N5,000.

The party said that members to elect delegates “shall be financial members of the party of not less than three months to the date of the delegate congress at the rate of N200 only per month.”

Congress to elect delegates has been fixed for Saturday, February 10, 2024, among other schedules.

No fewer than 20 aspirants are jostling for the party ticket from across the three senatorial zones of the state.

The APC had declared from the outset that it was throwing its ticket open for contestation by qualified candidates from the three zones.

Among those in the race for the ticket are the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, a former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, a former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Senator Monday Okpebholo (aka Akpakomiza), a former Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolemenme, a former Executive Director of Finance at the NDDC, General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), a former member of the State House of Assembly, Dr Washington Osifo, member of the House of Representatives, Hon Dennis Idahosa, a former Commission of Information in the state, Prince Kassim Afegbua, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Sunday Dekeri Anamero, and the only female aspirant so far, Victoria Omua Amu.