The governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has split the party into a jigsaw of two factions with each producing its governorship candidate for the September 21 election.
Few moments after House of Representatives member, Dennis Idahosa was declared winner of the primary by chairman of the Electoral Committee, Gov. Hope Uzodinma, the State Returning Officer for the same election, Dr. Stanley Ugbuaje, announced Senator Monday Okpepbholo as the party’s flagbearer.
Before Saturday’s primary to select gubernatorial candidate from the 12 aspirants cleared for the election, there was palpable tension with allegations and counter allegations that the immediate-past governor of the state and former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshimhole, who is also the leader of the party in the state as the senator representing Edo-North Senatorial District, was bent on imposing Idahosa as the candidate.
Less than 24 hours to the primary, two frontline aspirants, Ehizuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, withdrew from the race in circumstances believed were informed by political undercurrents.
This eventually snowballed into serious crisis.
Announcing the results earlier at the Protea Hotel, Benin, Gov. Uzodimma said that Idahosa pulled a total votes of 4,483 to defeat his other aspirants.
A break down of the results is as follows: Dr. Blessing Agbomere (50 votes), Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (162 votes), Col. David Imuse (400 votes), Sen. Monday Okpepbholo (200 votes).
Others are Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe (02 votes), Mr. Gideon Ikhine (700 votes), Hon Clem Agba (100 votes), and Mr. Lucky Imasuen (02 votes).
According to Uzodimma, the election was free, fair and credible, adding that Hon. Idahosa was declared as winner having scored the highest lawful votes cast.
But, in a dramatic twist, the State Returning Officer foe the primary, Dr. Stanley Ugboaje, who alleged that they were brutalised by thugs suspected to have been brought to the Collation Center by a certain aspirant, announced Monday Okpepbholo as winner.
He mase the announcement at residence of Pastor Ize-Iyamu.
He said Okpepholo scored 12,145 votes, while Idahosa polled 5,536 votes to emerge second.
“I hereby certified that Monday Okpepholo, having scored the highest votes, is declared winner and duly returned as the APC candidate for the Edo State Governorship Election,” Ugboaje said.
Recall that earlier, hoodlums had stormed the Collation Center at Lushville Hotel and Suite venue of the primary and disrupted the process.
Several journalists, including NTA camera man, FRCN and Arise reporters were said to have been beutally manhandled and their broadcast equipment seriously damaged.
