Anxiety As APC Disqualifies Obaseki, Ogiemwonyi, One Other From Primary

• Clears Odubu, Obaze, Ize-Iyamu For Guber Primary

There is political anxiety in Edo state  as the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee on Friday disqualified the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki and two others from participating in Edo State APC governorship Primary scheduled to hold on June 22.

According to the screening Committee, Governor Obaseki was  deemed ineligible for the governorship primary on the grounds of alleged inconsistencies in his presented academic certificates including  his Higher School leaving Certificate  and National Youth Service Corps  certificates.

On Mr Ogiemwonyi’s part,  the screening committee also alleged that there were inconsistencies in the names  in his submitted educational certificates. Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen was also disqualified from contesting the primary.

Those cleared to contest were former deputy governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, Hon Osaro Obazee and a former Secretary to the Government of Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The primary has been scheduled for June 22. Recall that on Wednesday, Governor Obaseki had expressed his doubts on the ability of the APC screening panel for the governorship primary to do justice in the process.

Earlier, the Edo State governor had claimed that the party’s  national Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was set to use all available means to disqualify him from the APC primary scheduled to hold on June 22.

Governor Obaseki recalled that when he went to the party’s National Secretariat to submit his nomination form, he told a news conference that Comrade Oshiomhole should distance himself from the process.

“The last time I came here, I asked that Oshiomhole should recuse himself from the process in the interest of peace and justice.But as a party man, I have had to go through the screening like everybody else.

“Since he is the judge and the jury in this matter, I will just wait for the outcome of the screening.I have given them all the information they need; the controversial certificate from the University of Ibadan has been tendered,” he said.