The ruling All Progressives Congress has postponed the screening of 16 candidates vying for the party's ticket for the Ondo State governorship primary election to Friday, April 20.
The two-day screening, initially set to start on Thursday, was delayed due to the extension of the Eid-el Fitr holiday by the Federal Government.
An official from the APC organising directorate revealed this information on Tuesday, preferring to remain anonymous.
The source also explained that the screening will take place shortly after the inauguration of a seven-member Ondo Governorship Screening Committee and a five-man Screening Appeal Committee by the National Working Committee of the party at 9:00 am at the party's national secretariat in Abuja on the same day.
The Governorship Screening Committee will be led by former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Senator Joshua Lidani, with a former member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, chosen as the Secretary.
The other members of the screening committee are Pastor Jones Erue, High Chief Second Bakor, Magaret Duru, Prof. Chukwudi Ledirick, and Hon. Abdul Rahim Balogun.
On the other hand, the five-man Screening Appeal Committee will be headed by the senator representing Kogi Central District, Oseni Yakubu, with a former Member of the House of Representatives serving as the Secretary.
The appeal committee also consists of Emmanuel Ekeh, Pious Idele, and Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.
In addition, the source informed The PUNCH that all the Ondo governorship aspirants have been duly informed about the latest development and the need to arrive on time for the exercise.
“The screening exercise is to commence immediately after the inauguration of the screening committee and the screening appeal committee, scheduled to take place at 9 am.
We have also informed all the aspirants of their respective appearance times before the screening committee,” he added.
The 16 candidates who purchased the nomination forms include Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa; business mogul and senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim; prominent APC figure, Olusola Oke; former President of Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Francis Faduyile; mechanical engineer, Dr Funmi Waheed-Adekojo; and APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaac Kekemeke.
Others are Akinfolarin Samuel, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Okunjimi Odimayo, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema, and Gen. Ohunyeye Olamide, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
