Edo APC Rules Out “Serial Losers” in Candidate Selection, Targets 3.5 Million Votes

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it will not field candidates with a record of repeated electoral defeats, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its electoral performance in upcoming contests.

Speaking during a live interview on TVC News, the state chairman,  said the party is placing a premium on aspirants with proven electoral success. He emphasized that careful candidate selection remains central to the party’s ambition of maximizing its vote share in future elections.

Tenebe linked the approach directly to Governor ’s pledge to deliver 3.5 million votes in support of President . According to him, achieving that target requires disciplined internal processes and a focus on candidates with demonstrable grassroots appeal and winning credentials.

“The only challenge we may encounter lies in the kind of candidates we present for elections,” Tenebe said. “We cannot afford to field individuals who have consistently lost elections. Experience has shown that such patterns are difficult to reverse.”

He stressed that the party leadership in Edo State is exercising caution in its nomination process to avoid undermining its electoral prospects. The chairman noted that, for now, the party has formally endorsed only President Tinubu and former governor , citing their established political strength.

Describing Oshiomhole as a formidable figure in Edo North Senatorial District, Tenebe said his track record offers the party a reliable base of support. “He is a known political brand with a history of winning elections. When you field him, you have a clear sense of the electoral outcome,” he stated.

Tenebe also expressed confidence in the APC’s expanding influence across the state, pointing to what he described as a growing alignment of political interests in its favor. He maintained that this momentum, combined with strategic candidate selection, positions the party to meet its ambitious vote target.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, the chairman concluded that the APC in Edo State remains committed to prioritizing competence, electability, and performance history in determining its candidates for future elections.