Another Candidate, Lucky Imasuen Withdraws From Edo APC Governorship Primary

The party’s primary election is scheduled to hold today (Saturday).
Lucky Imasuen, a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election.

The party’s primary election is scheduled to hold today (Saturday).

Imasuen, in a withdrawal letter released on Saturday morning explained that he withdrew from the race as the party leadership decided to zone the governorship ticket to the Central Senatorial District.

Imasuen was one of the 12 governorship aspirants screened and cleared by a committee set up by the APC National Working Committee.

The letter read, “I have come to the conclusion that since members of our National Working Committee, in their wisdom, have expressed their preference for zoning the governorship position to Edo Central Senatorial District, it is wise to align with the decision of the party.

“I am immensely grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me, throughout this journey. Your dedication and passion have been the driving force behind my campaign.

“While this decision was not made lightly, I trust that you will understand, and continue to support our party, as we work together towards our shared goals.

“From the foregoing, I am ready to support whoever emerges as our candidate in the primary election.”

Barely 24 hours to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary for Edo State September governorship poll, one of its aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, also withdrew from the race.

Ize-Iyamu, who contested against incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016 and 2020, was among the 12 governorship aspirants cleared by the party’s screening committee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

SaharaReporters had reported on February 13, that Prof. Sylvester Akhaine, one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants for the September 21, Edo State Gubernatorial election also announced the suspension of his campaign till further notice.

SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that the seven-member National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared 12 aspirants including Prof. Akhaine for participation in its February 17 primary for the September election.

The Director General of the Sylvester Odion Akhaine Campaign Organisation, Prof. Felix Oriakhi, announced suspension in statement made available to SaharaReporters.

However, addressing journalists on Friday in Benin, Ize-Iyamu, who contested the Governorship elections four years ago to unseat incumbent Governor Obaseki, said his decision to quit the race was in the interest of peace and unity of the party.

Ize-Iyamu has contested the Edo State governorship seat twice. First in 2016, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and in 2020 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who is the Chairman of the seven-member team that would conduct the primary was said to have landed in Edo State ahead of tomorrow’s primary.

source: Sahara reporters