LP shifts Edo guber primary election to February 23

The Labour Party (LP) has shifted the date for its primary election for the governorship poll in Edo state.

The Edo governorship election is scheduled to be held on September 21.

The LP had initially fixed February 22 as the date for the conduct of its primaries.

However, Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the party, in a statement on Friday, announced the new date for the primaries.

“The leadership of the Labour Party has approved a slight adjustment in the Party’s guidelines ahead of the Edo State governorship primary election,” the statement reads.

“The party after its National Working Committee meeting held on Friday 9th February 2024 has adjusted by a day the entire timetable including the dates for the purchase and submission of forms for the delegate elections, deadline for the purchase and submission of the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the governorship primary election as well dates for the appeals.

“The sale of forms which was earlier slated to end on Saturday February 10th is now shifted to Monday February 12th. The date for the governorship Primaries earlier fixed for February 22nd will now hold on the 23rd of February.

Ifoh said the party has increased the number of delegates in the state, adding that a level playing ground would be provided for all the aspirants.

“Similarly, the leadership of the party has adjusted the guideline for the emergence of the party candidate for the election,” he said.

“While Two delegates will emerge from each of the 192 political wards in the state, the leadership of the party however increased the Local Government delegates from five to seven persons in all the 18 LGAs each.

“In taking this decision, the party having listened to submissions from the various stakeholders of the party including the members of the National Assembly, elders and leaders of the party in the state agreed to increase the number of the delegates to ensure more participation and democratization of the exercise.

“The party pledges that it would ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants even as it insists that it would not in any way interfere in the process leading to the emergence of its flag bearer.”