Crisis Rocks Edo APC As 2 Candidates Declared Winners Of Parallel Guber Primaries
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State appears to have run into crisis as the party produced two winners in parallel governorship primaries on Saturday.
Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma declared House of Representatives member Dennis Idahosa winner of the primary that held at Protea Hotel in Benin.
He said Idahosa, who represents Ovia Federal constituency, polled 40,453 votes to defeat Senator Monday Okpebholo who scored 100 votes.
The declaration was affirmed by the leader of the elected delegates Mr Charity Amayaenvbo seconded by Charles Oronsanye.
But Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central, was declared winner by the other faction which met at Lushville Hotel and Suite GRA Benin.
Dr Stanley Ugboajah, the State Collation officer, declared him winner at the palatial residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in Benin. Ize-Iyamu, who was the party’s governorship candidate in 2020, withdrew from the race on Friday.
Ugboajah said Okpebholo emerged winner with 12,145 votes while Idahosa polled 5,536 votes.
Troubles started around 2:52 pm when armed thugs invaded Lushville Hotel and Suites, Gapiona Avenue, GRA, Benin, the initial collation centre to disrupt the process.
They damaged property and injured journalists during the invasion that left security operatives at the venue helpless.
As at the time of the invasion, the collation officers were on break wit Ughoajah, halting the live transmission by some national television stations.
Okpekholo, as at the time of the invasion, was reportedly leading Idahosa, backed by a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, in eight of the 18 local government areas so far collated.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present at the two collation centres.
