Ahead of the April 14 governorship primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), 23 governorship aspirants from Bayelsa and Kogi States were on Saturday screened by the party.
The only aspirant from Imo, Governor Hope Uzordima, who was returned unopposed, appeared before the screening committee on Friday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed November 11, 2023 for the conduct of the three off-session governorship elections.
From Bayelsa State, six aspirants screened by the committee include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Silva, who will be slugging it out for the party’s ticket with his former protege and 2019 Governor-elect, Chief David Pereworimini Lyon.
Others at Ladi Kwali Conference Center, the venue of the exercise were Ogbomade Isikima Johnson, Prof. Ongoebi Etebu Maureen, Festus Daumiebi Sunday and Joshua Maciver.
From Kogi State, Deputy Governor Edward David Onoja, top the list of screened aspirants.
Others were Senator Smart Adeyemi and Abdulkareem Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello.
On the list of screened aspirants is Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka; son of the former Gov. Abubakar Audu, Prince Shauibu Abubakar Audu; Sanusi Ohiare, former Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Momodu O. Deedat and Usman Ododo, Auditor General, Local Government.
Also screened were the Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crime, Senator Oseni Yakubu, Halima l. Alfa, Momoh Jibrin, Alh. Yusuf Yakubu Okala, Hon. Asiru Idris, Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, Abubakar Yahaya Achimugu, Idachaba Friday and David A. Jimoh.
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke was still being expected by the committee at the time of filing the report.
Addressing newsmen after the screening, Adeyemi called on the Governor Yahaya Bello not to become a tribal leader.
He said he made the call following speculations in some quarters that the Governor was working towards ensuring that his kinsman succeed him.
Adeyemi advised the Governor to maintain the statesman status he used in conducting the affairs of the State and in the way he made appointments.
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