By: Ade Phillips
Two contenders emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates for Edo State following the party’s primary polls held on Saturday ahead of the September 21 election.
Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, who heads the party committee for Edo, declared Dennis Idahosa as the winner with 4,483 votes, while Gideon Ikhine secured second place with 700 votes.
Furthermore, Senator Monday Okpebholo was announced as the winner by Ogbuaja Uzoamaka, the state’s returning officer, garnering 12,145 votes, while Mr. Idahosa came in second with 5,536 votes.
Uzoamaka clarified that Governor Uzodimma’s role as committee head was ceremonial and did not grant him the authority to influence the legitimacy of an elected candidate.
However, Governor Uzodimma maintained the validity of his declaration of Mr. Idahosa as the winner, despite the disruption of the collation center by thugs who vandalized property, leading to the relocation of election officials to another venue.
APC at the national level threw its weight behind Uzodimma, saying only Idahosa would be recognised as the party’s flag bearer.
“We wish to state categorically that only the Governor Hope Uzodinma-Led Edo State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee is duly authorised to undertake the final collation and announcement of results of the Primary Election in the State,” said Felix Morka, APC national spokesperson.
“We urge all party members, officials in the State, and the general public to disregard the said announcement of results by these unauthorised persons,” he added.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate for the 2020 polls, withdrew his candidacy at the last minute, specifically on the election eve. Twelve aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries.
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