APC, PDP, Others Race to Submit Candidates for Edo Gov Election

•PDP to present Obaseki-Shaibu ticket

•APC to pair Ize-Iyamu with lawmaker

•INEC insists no room for extension of deadline

By Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale and Deji Elumoye

TRACKING___The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 13 other parties contesting the September governorship election in Edo State were busy yesterday, putting finishing touches to the preparations of their lists of candidates for submission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today.

The political parties are also expected to submit the names of the running mates of their candidates for the election.

Already, the electoral commission has ruled out extending the deadline for the political parties to submit the names of their candidates.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, yesterday told THISDAY that the deadline would not be extended.

“The deadline said that all political parties must submit the names of their governorship candidates and their running mates. The deadline remains June 29. Once it is 6 p.m, the portal would be shot down. The commission would not extend the deadline,” Okoye said.

When asked why only one day was set aside for submission of the names, Okoye said: “That is the guideline because submission is done virtual; you don’t need to come to Abuja to submit.”

Though 15 political parties are expected to participate in the election, it is largely seen as a straight fight between APC’s Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the incumbent, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who is running on the ticket of the PDP.

The PDP and the APC, it was learnt, have concluded plans to submit the names of their candidates and their running mates on time to beat the deadline.

THISDAY gathered that the PDP will submit the name of Obaseki as its governorship candidate, while Obaseki’s deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, is his running mate.