By Ayo Kehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared Monday Okpebholo, the Senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly, as the winner of its rerun governorship primary election for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The APC, on Thursday, held a fresh direct primary election across the 192 wards in the 18 local government areas of Edo State after it declared last Saturday’s shadow election inconclusive.
Nine aspirants contested the election after three aspirants, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen, and a former permanent secretary, Earnest Afolabi Umakhihe, withdrew from the governorship race. Others included Professor Osariemhem Osunbor, ex-Minister of State for Budget, Clem Agba, Anamero Dekeri
Earlier, the APC had mandated a seven-man Governorship Primary Election Committee chaired by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to supervise the direct primary election. He failed, having manipulated figures in favour of House of Representatives member, Dennis Idahosa on the bidding of Senator Adams Oshiomhole. This led to protest and the National Working Committee, NCW, whose National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje had congratulated the Idahosa, made a U-turn and declared the primary election inconclusive.
The party, however, replaced Uzodimma with Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, who supervised the fresh primary election through Thursday night to Friday morning.
Declaring the results of the shadow election on Friday, at the collation centre, Lushville Hotel and Suites, Gapiona Avenue, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin City, Otu said Okpekholo polled 12,433 votes to defeat his closest rival, the lawmaker representing Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa, who scored 6,541 votes.
