In a recent development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that its governorship primary election in Edo state was deemed “not completed.”
Consequently, the ruling party has announced plans to conduct a new primary on Thursday to determine its flagbearer for the forthcoming September 2024 governorship election in the state.
Felix Morka, the national publicity secretary of the APC, issued a statement late on Tuesday, revealing the party’s decision regarding the controversial primary.
The Edo APC Gubernatorial Primary
The primary election which held on Saturday saw Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State and chairman of the Edo primary election committee, declare Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives, as the winner of the contest.
Uzodimma announced that Idahosa, aged 43, secured 40,483 votes, emerging victorious over other governorship hopefuls.
However, shortly after Idahosa was declared the winner, returning officers from various local government areas (LGAs) in the state announced Sunday Dekeri, a lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, as the victor of the primary. Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, disclosed that Dekeri garnered 25,384 votes, defeating Idahosa.
Controversy and Allegations
Within less than 24 hours after the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum raised allegations that Idahosa was declared the winner before the completion of the exercise.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Emmanuel Godwin, coordinator of the group, criticized Hope Uzodimma for prematurely announcing Idahosa as the winner, arguing that Uzodimma lacked the authority to usurp the duties of local government returning officers.
The controversy surrounding the primary intensified on Monday when Monday Okpebholo, a senator representing Edo central and a governorship aspirant, claimed that he won the election with over 6,000 votes, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Withdrawal of Aspirants
Before the primary election, several aspirants had withdrawn from the race for various reasons. Notably, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former candidate in the previous election, was the first to pull out, citing his decision being in the interest of peace and unity within the party.
On election day, Lucky Imasuen and Ernest Afolabi also withdrew from the contest, citing the party’s decision to zone the ticket to the central senatorial district of the state.
The upcoming new primary on Thursday is expected to bring clarity and resolution to the ongoing disputes surrounding the APC governorship candidacy in Edo.