No fewer than eight governorship aspirants on the platform of the All progressives Congress (APC) have procured the N50 million worth expression of interest and nomination forms in defiance of a purported arrangement brokered by the former national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
It was learnt that picked the expression of interest and nomination forms were initially screened out by the Oshiomhole-backed committee.
The Oshiomhole backed committee had pruned down the number of aspirants to six and later to four. They include Ernest Umakhihe (Owan East LGA), Clem Agba (Etsako East LGA), Lucky Imasuen (Ovia North East LGA, Dennis Idahosa (Ovia South West LGA), David Imuse (Esan West LGA) and Monday Okpebholo (Esan Central LGA).
However, as of yesterday, those that procured the forms comprises Prince Clem Agba, Monday Okpebholo, Hon. Lucky Imasuen, Hon. Anamero Dekeri, Pastor Osagie Andrew Izr-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine, Col. David Onabure Imuse and Major. General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd).
A group loyal to Ize-Iyamu, on the aegis of Committee of Friends, led by Hon. Emmanuel Momoh, described the action of Oshiomhole-backed committee as inconsequential.
He noted: “Pastor Ize-Iyamu is not among the anointed, it is only God that anoints. Let me make it clear to every Nigerian, what was done does not reflect in the constitution of the APC.
“The committee that was set up is not the organ of the APC, there was nothing done, it was an action of one man and who is a voter like me.
“No single voter has the right to anoint a candidate, we are all members of APC and we stand on that, today Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu officially presented himself to the party as an aspirant, an intending candidate of the party, and the process begins today.
“If you look at the calendar of APC, the issue of somebody been anointed does not hold water, and we want to let you know that he is going ahead with the race and whatever have been done can be considered as a sham and is not inline with the direction of the National Working Committee of the party.”
