Breaking: APC Inaugurates Screening, Appeal Committees for Edo governorship aspirants

The 7-man Screening Committee was chaired by the former Minister of Sport and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja.

Other members are Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Hon. Adeoye Adelakun, Prince Darlington Dick, Lawal Abdullahi Kenken, Margaret Duru and Dr. Sani Danjuma (Secretary).

While the 5-man Screening Appeal Committee was chaired by Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, having membership of Hon. Bisi Odewunmi, Ngozi Ononiwu, Hon. Abubakar Sidiq and Barr. Smart Iheazor (Secretary).

Inaugurating the committees, the National Organising Secretary, HE Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, on behalf of the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the screening of aspirants is a requirement of the party.

He however assured that the exercise will be hitch free and seamless.

“May I on behalf of the National Chairman of our great Party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the National Working Committee welcome you to the inauguration

ceremony of the National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee and Screening Appeal Committee.

“Your Excellencies, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as you are all aware, screening of our great Party’s aspirants for all elections is a requirement of the

constitution of our great Party.

“In the same vein, our Party’s Constitution also gives weight to equity and restoration of right that is why it provides for a Screening Appeal Committee which avails aggrieved aspirants who might have been screened out at the level of the Screening Committee to seek appellate intervention from the Screening Appeal Committee.

“Therefore, as I welcome you to this very important occasion,let me use this opportunity to assure the rank and file of members of our great Party in Edo State and across the country that the National Chairman in concert with the entire members of the National Working Committee have ensured that the leadership and members nominated into these two Committees are individuals of principles and worthy values with political pedigrees that can be showcased with confidence

anywhere and at any time”.

In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the Screening Committee, Prof. Taoheed Abdul Adedoja gave assurance that the Committees will be fair in the discharge of their duties.

While allaying fear that the exercise may be used to disqualify aspirants, the former Minister, said it’s aimed at giving equal opportunity to all the aspirants to be cleared. 

He further noted that the Committees would be guided by three documents, namely the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the party’s constitution and other guidelines handed over to aspirants in respect to their participation. 

“We want to thank the National Working Committee for deeming it fit to invite us to serve in this two important committees 

“We will be guided majority by three documents in this assignment – the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constitution of the party and the guidelines that have been handed over to aspirants in respect to their participation 

“I want to assure you that we’ll be fair going through the guidelines in the process of screening these aspirants.

“Our work is not to disqualified any aspirant but to give opportunity to all aspirants to clear themselves. Where there might be some problems, that’s why the appeal committee is also set up as part of the due process of fairness and justice of this great party.

“Once again I thank you for this opportunity, and assure you that we’ll do our best”, he said. 

The screening committee will commenced work immediately after the inauguration, and will end tomorrow Friday 9th February, 2024., while the appeal committee begins thereafter.