The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has given the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu and nine other aspirants the go ahead to contest the party’s governorship primary scheduled to hold on February 22, 2024.
This followed their successful completion of the screening exercise conducted by the Governor Caleb Mutfwang-led, Edo State PDP Governorship Screening Committee.
Most of the aspirants collected their certificates of clearance at the office of the party’s National Organising Secretary, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Eight, out of ten of the aspirants attended a brief ceremony where the PDP National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature (Retd.), handed them the documents.
Bature, in a text message confirmed that, “All ten, aspirants were cleared.” However, one aspirant, Balogun Sunday, who only paid N5million and obtained the expression of interest form did not show up for screening exercise because he neither bought the nomination forms nor appeared for screening.
Those who received their certificates at the event, include: the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, former Nigerian Diplomat, Amb. Martin Uhumoibi, pioneer Director General of the PDP Governors’Forum, Osaro Onaiwu, Felix Akhabue, Omoregie Ihama and former Edo State APC Chairman, Ansalem Ajezua.
Others include: the only two female aspirants: A former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Omosede Igbenedion and Hadizat Umoru.
Former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, who is said to be Governor Godwin Obaseki’s preferred candidate, was said to have collected his own earlier.
Chairman of the screening panel and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, had on behalf of the party promised to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants because what the party desires is to retain Edo State.
Shaibu had in an interview with journalists expressed gratitude to the party for the assurances given while noting that the prompt response to the deliberate falsehood claiming that a decision had been taken on venues for the delegates’ congresses was commendable.
He explained that the decision of the party’s National Working Committee to issue a press statement debunking the claim went a long way in restoring confidence.
