There was drama on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State produced two governorship candidates.
In the primaries that was held on saturday two candidates emerged winner.
The party was meant to choose its flàg bearer for the September 21, governorship election in the state.
A Member of House of Representative, Mr. Denise Idahosa, representing Ovia Federal Constituency, was initially announced the winner of the primary by the Chairman APC, Primary Election Committee and Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, at Protea Hotel.
In a parallel event, Senator Monday Okpebholo was declared winner by the Returning Officer for the election, Dr. Stanley Ugboaje at the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The committee led by Governor Uzodimma announced Idahosa as winner, saying he scored 40,453 votes to beat 11 other aspirants.
The Imo Governor gave the other aspirants score are as follows:
Prince Clem Agba — 100 votes
Monday Okpebholo –100 votes
Sunday Dekeri — 2,030 votes
Osagie Ize-Iyamu — 2 votes
Gideon Ikhine — 700 votes
David Imuse — 400 votes
Charles Airhiavbere — 162 votes
Oserhiemen Osunbor — 180 votes,
Blessing Agbomhere — 50 votes
Ernest Umakhihe — 2 votes
Lucky Imasuen — 2 votes.
Uzodimma who was flanked by the deputy chairman of the committee and Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu; committee Secretary, Lawan Garba and other members, said:
“This is the certify that Dennis Idahosa having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby Declares winner of the primary election.
The governor explained that members of the Committee arrived Benin on Friday and had critical discussions with all stakeholders and conducted the primaries.
The Returning Officer for the election in the parallel primary, Dr. Stanley Ugboaje, while announcing the results, said Sen. Monday Okpepholo emerged winner with 12,145 votes while Idahosa scored 5,536 votes to emerge second.
“I hereby certify that Monday Okpepholo, having scored the highest votes, is declared winner and duly returned as APC candidate for the election,” Ugboaje said.
Some persons suspected to be political thugs numbering over 100 had earlier stormed the venue of the second primary and disrupted the collation and announcement exercise.
The thugs beat up journalists covering the exercise and destroyed their cameras, warning that they don’t want to see anybody.
