Confusion has trailed the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Edo South Senatorial district on Monday, as supporters of Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu allegedly held parallel elections.
The parallel exercises were reportedly conducted across all 77 wards in the seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) that comprise the senatorial district. Following the polls, both aspirants claimed victory and laid claim to the party’s candidacy.
Conflicting results cloud primary outcome
Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the National Assembly who represented Oredo Federal Constituency from 2015 to 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the APC during the 2024 Edo State governorship election, is backed by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo. He is also speculated to be sponsored by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Mohammed Kabiru Ajana, chairman of the primary election committee, announced the results of the collation exercise at Urhokpota Hall in Benin City. He stated that Ogbeide-Ihama secured the highest number of votes, polling 27,154 out of the 37,519 total votes cast.
According to Ajana, Ogbeide-Ihama won in all seven local governments and across all 77 wards. In his announcement, Ogbeide-Ihama’s closest rival, Neda Imasuen, scored 13,580 votes, while Ize-Iyamu received 6,785 votes. Ajana, however, declined to formally declare Ogbeide-Ihama the winner of the election.
Rival faction declares Ize-Iyamu winner
In a parallel development, a chief returning officer from a separate faction declared Ize-Iyamu the winner of the primary. According to this returning officer, Ize-Iyamu scored 33,399 votes, while Ogbeide-Ihama polled 12,560 votes and Imasuen garnered 5,107 votes.
Speaking shortly after his faction announced the results, an elated Ize-Iyamu expressed gratitude to his supporters and assured them of better representation following the general election. He noted that the victory marked a significant step in his preparation to represent the APC in the senatorial district.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were reportedly on the ground to observe the conduct of the primaries held across the seven local government areas.
Breakdown of the Ajana-led committee results
The official breakdown of the results announced by Ajana across the seven local government areas is as follows:
Oredo Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama scored 3,950 votes, Imasuen polled 1,974 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 986 votes.
Egor Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama scored 4,226 votes, Imasuen polled 2,114 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 1,056 votes.
Orhionmwon Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama clinched 3,058 votes, Imasuen polled 1,529 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 765 votes.
Ovia South-West Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama secured 4,263 votes, Imasuen polled 2,131 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 1,060 votes.
Ikpoba Okha Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama garnered 5,517 votes, Imasuen polled 2,759 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 1,378 votes.
Uhunmwonde Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama scored 2,626 votes, Imasuen polled 1,314 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 657 votes.
Ovia North-East Local Government: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,514 votes, Imasuen polled 1,759 votes, and Ize-Iyamu received 878 votes.
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