Parallel primaries and conflicting results disrupt APC Rep election in Edo

Parallel primaries and conflicting results disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Edo State.

The Daily Post reports that the primaries were held across the state's nine federal constituencies.

In Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, two separate exercises produced different winners. In one video that went viral, incumbent lawmaker Hon. Marcus Onobun was declared the victor, while in another count, Hon. Lucky Eseigbe was announced as the winner.

Onobun secured 6,897 votes, with Mr. Paul Ogedegbe receiving 3,738 votes and Mr. Mathias Ehizua obtaining 2,446 votes. Governor Monday Okpebholo’s preferred candidate, Hon. Lucky Eseigbe, placed fourth.

Conversely, Special Adviser to Governor Okpebholo on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Godswill Inegbe, announced that Hon. Eseigbe had won the contest with 6,897 votes. Engr. Paul Ogedegbe garnered 3,733 votes, Mr. Osobase Ehizua 2,446 votes, and Hon. Onobun only 1,007 votes at Okaijesan Hall, Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government Area.

In Owan Federal Constituency, conflicting results were also reported. One count claimed that former Mining Commissioner Hon. Andrew Ijegbai defeated incumbent Majority Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, with 3,695 votes, while Prof. Ihonvbere was placed third. Supporters of Prof. Ihonvbere circulated an alternative result that favored the incumbent.

A similar situation unfolded in Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, where Hon. Bankole Balogun and Mrs. Adetutu Owolabi were declared winners in different tallies. Party Returning Officer Kassim Otono announced Balogun as the winner with 3,368 votes, surpassing Adetutu Owolabi’s 783 votes and Paul Johnson’s 1,663 votes.

In Oredo Federal Constituency, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the former Commissioner for Education, emerged as the winner with 7,088 votes, defeating incumbent Hon. Esosa Iyawe.

Hon. Omosede Igbinedion and Hon. Billy Osawaru were returned as candidates for Ovia Federal Constituency and Uhunwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, respectively.

Hon. Dekeri Anamero was declared the candidate for Etsako Federal Constituency after winning 8,901 votes. Other aspirants—Mr. Jimoh Jimani, Richard Lamai, Dr. Blessing Agbomere, and Hon. Johnson Oghuma—received 4,412, 3,127, 1,473, and 983 votes, respectively.

Mr. Felix Igbinovia Osaze was elected for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency after defeating Hon. Pius Alile, the State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa’s preferred candidate.