INEC clears 17 for Edo governorship election

– Edo state has been in the news for sometime now because of the governorship election that has been scheduled for September 10, 2016

– The major contenders for the governorship seat include Godwin Obaseki of the APC and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday released a list of 18 politicians cleared by the electoral umpire for the governorship election in Edo state on September 10, 2016.

Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, the two major contenders for the Edo governorship election

Among those cleared are the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 17 others.

The others are Amos Areloegbe of the Labour Party, Oronsaye Richard of Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), Mr Ishaka Ofemile of the Action Alliance; Mr Andrew Igewmoh, Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD); Mr Cosmos Irabor, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Onaiwu Osaro, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Other cleared candidates are Mr David Okoror, Citizens Popular Party (CPP); Mr Tobi Adeniyi, Independent Democrats (ID); Thompson Osadolor, KOWA Party; Peters Omoragbon, National Conscience Party (NCP) and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena of People for Democratic Change (PDC).

The published, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), include Mr Thomas Sadoh of the Progressive People Alliance (PPA), Mrs Agol Ebun, Peoples Party Nigeria (PPN); Omorogieva Gbajumo, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Shadrach Efogie, United Progressive Party (UPP) and Nurudeen Inwanefero of Young Democratic Party (YDP).

INEC said the recent action was in line with Section 34 of the electoral act 2010 (as amended) and that Obaseki was cleared as the PDP candidate based on a court order.

Since the ban against political campaign was lifted, there had been fireworks between the APC and the PDP. Governor Adams Oshiomhole is a member of the APC.