No fewer than 236 aspirants are jostling for 36 elective positions in Edo on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

The aspirants are those who have bought Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the state and federal parliaments.

Tony Aziegbemi, the party chairman in Edo, said on Wednesday in Benin that 17 of the aspirants were jostling for the three senatorial seats.

He said 54 of them were jostling for the nine House of Representatives seats, while 161 were eyeing the 24 House of Assembly seats.

He gave the details when he addressed journalists at the Ben Obi-led screening committee sitting.

Mr Aziegbemi explained that the screening was to fulfil the Electoral Act guidelines, which state that parties should conduct screening of aspirants as part of conditions for primary elections.

“We are abiding by the rules of the Electoral Act ahead of the party primary elections,’’ he said. “It is interesting that in spite of the seeming problems the party has in the state, no time in its history have people purchased 161 Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.”

Also speaking, Mr Obi explained that the committee did a good job and that the aspirants all presented themselves for screening. 

(NAN)