Ahead of the upcoming February 17 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Edo state, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party is set to convene a vital meeting with stakeholders in the state on, Monday, January 15.
The meeting, called by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led NWC, is scheduled to take place at the NWC hall of Muhammadu Buhari House, the party headquarters in Abuja, at 8 pm.
The Nation gathered that the meeting was called to enable the party’s highest administrative organ (NWC), all state stakeholders and governorship aspirants to fashion out a workable free, fair and credible template for the conduct of the primary and for the eventual victory of the party in the September 2024 state governorship election.
It was further gathered that invitation letters have been sent out to the State Working Committee (SWC), all former governors, deputy governors, serving and former National Assembly members from the state and some identified governorship aspirants.
A source in the Directorate of Organisation of the party who spoke in confidence confirmed that the meeting was at the instance of the NWC chairman, Ganduje in line with his resolve to create a level playing ground for the best candidate to emerge for the party.
The source said: “This meeting is a crucial one. The chairman (Ganduje) and the NWC invited all the stakeholders in the state so that everybody will be on the same page ahead of the February 17 primary election.”
When asked for those invited our source simply said: “Letters have been sent out to members of the State Working Committee, all former governors from the state, all former deputy governors, serving and former members of the National Assembly from the state as well as some identified governorship aspirants. It is an enlarged stakeholders meeting. Over 100 leaders from Edo state are expected for the meeting,”
He further said those expected at the include former APC national chairman and former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomole, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, some governorship aspirants, which include Pastor Ize-Iyamu, former Minister of State for Budget & National Planning, Clem Agba, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, Blessing Agbomhere, the APC South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary and member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Anamero Dekeri.
It will be recalled that the party recently released the schedule of activities and timetable for the state governorship election.
The schedule showed that sales of nomination and expression of interest forms and sale of delegates’ forms are fixed for 10th to 29th January 2024, while submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is slated for Monday, February 5, 2024.
Screening of aspirants is to be held on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th February 2024.
The delegates’ congress is fixed for Saturday 10th February and the party primary for the emergence of the party flag bearer will be held on Saturday 17th February 2024.
The party has also fixed the 24th of April for the commencement of the campaign by its standard bearer.
(The Nation)