Confusion arose in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, on Saturday due to the appearance of two candidates at the 2024 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.
This confusion was caused by a disruption of the voting process and a violent attack by suspected political thugs.
The APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma, declared Hon. Dennis Idahosa the victor of the direct primary election. Idahosa received 40,453 votes, surpassing the other candidates.
“Of the 12 aspirants that contested for this primaries, Clem Agba scored 100 votes, Monday Okpebholo 100 votes, Hon. Dekeri Anamero 230 votes, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu two votes, Gideon Ikhine 700 votes, David Imuse 400 votes, Charles Airhiavbere 162 votes, Osariemen Osunbor 180 votes, Blessing Agbomhere 50 votes, Dennis Idahosa 40,453 votes, Ernest Afolabi two votes, and Lucky Imansuen two votes,” Uzodinma said.
Uzodinma announced that Idahosa won the Edo State APC governorship primary election by receiving the most votes from party delegates.
He mentioned that there was confusion earlier about the location of the election, but clarified that the Protea Hotel was the correct place for announcing the results.
However, the National Working Committee officials from Abuja, who were supposed to announce the results, were attacked while relocating from the initial venue where Uzodinma was already announcing the results.
The NWC committee, headed by Dr. Stanley Ugboajah, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the primary election, making him the party’s candidate for the upcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election.
“Dr Blessing Agbomhere scored 834, Charles Airhvbere scored 919, Osareime Osunbor 688, David Imuse 507, Monday Okpebolo 12,145 votes, Dennis Idahosa, 5,536, Ernest Afolabi 2,090, Gideon 902, Ize-Iyamu 383, Anamero Dekeri 1,625, Lucky Imansue 503,” the electoral officer said.
“This is to certify that Monday Okpebholo has scored the highest votes, has been declared the winner of the APC governorship primaries and thereby declared the candidate of the party.”
The Edo State Party’s publicity secretary, Peter Igbinigie, stated that the committee led by Dr. Stanley Ugboajah is the official returning officer for the exercise.
He emphasized that Governor Hope Uzodinma does not have the authority to declare any aspirant as the winner of the primary election.
