…APC NWC conducts independent verification of aspirants’ popularity
About 36 hours to the governorship primary election of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the detailed results of Professor Julius Ihonvbere Screening Committee have emerged, showing that the immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning and frontline governorship aspirant, Prince Clem Ikande Agba, finished sumna cum laude.
Agba scored 89 per cent, according to the screening report which became public knowledge on Thursday night.
He was followed by Dennis Idahosa who scored 87 per cent, Lucky Imasuen (86 per cent, David Imuse (86 per cent), Ernest umakhihe (84 per cent) and Monday Okpebholo (81 per cent), who could be said to have finished magna cum laude.
The remaining 23 (except Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma who did not appear before the Committee) scored below 80 per cent.
Meanwhile the National Working Committee of the APC has embarked on an independent verification of aspirants’ popularity in the state.
A ten-man team, as learnt, was dispatched to the state last weekend to find out from the people who is the most popular aspirant whose mojo resonates more with the people.
The NWC’s move, according to feelers, was to ensure that it was not pressurized to throw its weight behind an unpopular candidate who will be difficult to sell to the Edo electorate.
Political leaders who have been plotting to use the NWC to push through their predetermined agenda may be shell shocked at the unexpected outcome of the governorship primary election that may be contrary to their expectations.