Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finalized the screening and clearance of candidates for the upcoming July 21 primaries, ahead of the National Assembly bye-elections in the state.
For the Edo Central Senatorial District, the party cleared John Yakubu, Friday Itulah, and Joe Okojie after a meticulous screening process. In the Ovia Federal Constituency, Johnny Aikpitanyi emerged as the sole candidate for the House of Representatives bye-election, having successfully completed the screening.
According to a statement by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the screening took place on Tuesday at the PDP State Secretariat, located at No. 20 Aiguobasimwin Street, GRA, Benin.
The process was overseen by a five-member panel appointed by the PDP National Working Committee, chaired by Prof. Okumoko Tubo Pearce, with Chinomso Odoemelan as secretary. Other panel members included Inemo Dede, Evelyn Promise, and David Omare, all of whom played key roles in the exercise.
Certificates of clearance were formally presented to the candidates on Friday at the state secretariat during a ceremony. Nehikhare highlighted the panel’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and fair process.
Johnny Aikpitanyi, the cleared candidate for Ovia, expressed gratitude for the committee’s professionalism and thoroughness.
“I deeply appreciate the screening committee for their fairness and diligence. With this clearance, I am ready to carry the PDP flag and deliver purposeful representation to the people of Ovia,” he said.
“With strong community backing, I am confident of victory and committed to driving grassroots development to make Ovia a model constituency.”
