Aspirant rejects APC consensus committee resolution and vows to stay in race

An APC governorship aspirant in Edo State, Anamero Dekeri, has rejected the recommendation of the selection committee set up to reduce the number of aspirants seeking the party’s candidacy.

Dekeri, a member of the House of Representatives, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said the committee’s recommendation is not binding on him or any of the other aspirants.

The committee, chaired by House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, was created to reduce the number of challengers in the race. Some 29 politicians have expressed interest in the race.

The committee had reduced the number of applicants to six. 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) . .

Speaking on the outcome of the selection committee, Dekeri said the committee does not have the locus standi to prevent anyone from seeking the party’s candidacy.

He said the committee’s report betrayed the assessment made, adding that the committee is an advisory committee without any power to disqualify anyone.

“It was resolved and agreed that the committee has to be fair to all applicants and, as stated in its terms of reference, that its role is advisory only,” he said.

“As expected, all applicants underwent evaluation in accordance with the committee’s terms of reference.

“However, the report presented by the committee totally betrayed the true performance of the aspirants and lacked merit, which was observed even by the state party leaders who created the committee and proposed an appeal committee to correct the error before the attention of the House was drawn to the effect that the national working committee of our great party has clarified which is the appropriate body that has the locus standi to select the aspirants after they have obtained and submitted the expression and nomination forms in accordance with article 84 of the electoral law as amended.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank my many supporters and party faithful for their unwavering support for my aspiration as the main contender to express my dissent.

“I will not waver in my determination and resolve to contest for the APC ticket in the Edo 2024 governorship race,” he said.

Dekeri urged the party to hold free and fair primary elections for all aspirants. He also called for a “vigorous competition of ideas, values ​​and leadership qualities.”