Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, have both been cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the forthcoming senatorial elections.
Yahaya, who is the APC consensus candidate for the Gombe north senatorial seat, appeared before the party’s senatorial screening committee on Friday in Abuja.
The screening exercise took place at Plateau House and was conducted by the APC senatorial screening committee chaired by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the party.
Other sitting governors seeking re-election or contesting senatorial seats under the APC platform also participated in the exercise.
Addressing the aspirants, Yilwatda commended the governors for their service and contributions to governance.
“As a party, we will continue to support all our sitting governors. There is no need subjecting you to rigorous screening again, having previously undergone similar processes and served creditably in office,” he said.
Yilwatda said Yahaya and other governors had fulfilled all constitutional and party requirements needed to contest.
“Having satisfied all the necessary requirements, you are hereby requested to take a bow and go,” he added.
Abiodun was also screened on Friday by the APC National Working Committee ahead of the party’s primaries for the Ogun East senatorial district.
Speaking after the exercise, Abiodun said his aspiration was driven by a desire to deepen development and provide effective representation for Ogun East.
“I reaffirm my commitment to quality representation, grassroots development, economic growth, and sustained progress for the people of Ogun East Senatorial District,” he said.
Abiodun assured the screening committee of his readiness to serve with “responsibility, experience and integrity”.
His screening comes days after APC stakeholders in Ijebu-Ode reportedly adopted him as consensus candidate for the Ogun East senatorial race.
