Ighodalo, despite the parallel primary which produced the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, got INEC’s nod as the PDP candidate
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, displayed the list of candidates of the 17 political parties that would participate in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The list was displayed at the state office of the Commission in Benin City notice board and in all INEC offices across the 18 local government areas.
Conspicuously missing on the list, is the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who won the parallel governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
However, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
Okpebholo Monday, Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Olumide Akpata and Ighodalo Asuerinme of the PDP all made the list.
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Others who were listed are Boot Party (BP), Osirame Edeipo; Accord party (AP), Enabulele Bright; African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obazele Paul Agbone, People Redemption Party (PRP), Key Ndidi and Young Progressive Party (YPP),Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan.
The list also showed that Mr Uwaifo Osaro is the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had Aner Abdullai Aliu. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) had Azena Azemhe Friday and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) had Osifo Isiah as its candidate.
Others are the All People Movement (APM), Ugiagbe Odaro Syvelster; All Peoples Party (APP), Areleogbe Amos Osalumese; Action Democratic Party (ADP), Akhime kingson Afere; African Action Congress (AAC) Udoh Obersifo David and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.
The state INEC head of voters education and publicity, Timidi Wariowei, said that the pasting of the particulars was in line with the electoral law, noting that parties and the public can now view the particulars of the candidates and their running mates.
Despite INEC’s decision to settle for Ighodalo, the controversies surrounding the PDP’s primary and that of other parties are unlikely to be over until the courts have given their verdicts.