There was controversy in Edo State, on Saturday as two candidates emerged winners of the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election.
While a House of Representatives member, representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, was announced the winner of the election by the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, the returning officer of the committee, Dr Stanley Ugboajah, stated that Sen. Monday Okpebholo was the parallel winner.
These purported victories were, however, rejected by another aspirant, who said he won based on ‘authentic turnout.’
Though Uzodimma said Idahosa polled 40,483 votes to defeat nine aspirants; Ugboajah, on his part, noted that Sen. Monday Okpepholo polled 12,145 votes to defeat other contestants.
The results announced by Uzodimma showed Mr. Dennis Idahosa, 40,483; Clem Agba, 100 votes; Sen. Monday Okpebholo, 100 votes; Dekeri Anamero, 2,030 votes; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who earlier withdrew from the race, 2 votes; Engr. Gideon Ikhine, 700 votes; Col. David Imuse, 400 votes; Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, 162 votes; Sen. Oserheimen Osunbor, 180 votes; Blessing Agbomhere, 50 votes; Dr. Afolabi Umakhihe, 2 votes; and Lucky Imasuen, 2 votes.
While announcing the results at Lushville Hotel, the Imo State governor said: “This is therefore to certify that Dennis Idahosa, having secured the highest votes, is hereby declared winner of the primaries.”
On his part, Ugboajah, who declared Okpebholo winner at a press conference held in Ize-Iyamu’s residence, said: “I hereby certify that Monday Okpebholo, having scored the highest votes, is declared winner and duly returned as APC candidate for the election.”
Meanwhile, Agba, in a statement, lamented that the primaries fell below the minimum standard of democratic elections that is universally acceptable.
He said, “I believe strongly that thousands of loyal party members were disenfrachished. Based on the authentic turnout, we clinched victory. The result so far announced is ridicule and undermines the principles of democracy and fair play. The votes of the people did not count, the processes of election were compromised and the strength and unity of our party greatly undermined.”
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has congratulated the winner of the Edo State governorship primary election, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
Ganduje in a statement issued Saturday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, urged Idahosa to carry all aspirants along so as to delver the party at the the fourth governorship election in the State.
He equally commended Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Election Committee, noting that its transparency in the conduct of the election is highly commendable.
“I want to congratulate the winner of the Edo State governorship election, I want to equally commend and appreciate Governor Hope Uzodinma’s election committee for their hard work and the transparent manner in which the primary election was conducted. At this point, I want to call on all the aspirants to bury the hatchet and work for the interest of the party so that our party will emerge victorious”, he said.
