TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will make credentials of its Edo governorship aspirants available for public scrutiny.

The party had lost Bayelsa to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after David Lyon, its candidate and governor-elect, was sacked by the supreme court on the grounds that Biobarakuma Degi-Eriemienyo, his running mate, presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Douye Diri, PDP candidate, was subsequently declared winner and sworn in as governor.

In a statement on Friday, Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC spokesman, said credentials of the aspirants would be displayed at the party secretariats in Abuja and Edo state.

Issa-Onilu said they have only six aspirants seeking to represent the APC at the governorship poll scheduled for September.

He listed the aspirants as Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Godwin Obaseki, Pius Odubu, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osaro Obazee and Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.

“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,” Issa-Onilu 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.”

Issa-Onilu said the party has fixed June 10 and 11 for screening of the aspirants.

“This will be followed by the 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.”