Edo PDP guber: 2 candidates emerge from parallel primaries

Two governorship candidates, Bar.Asue Ighodalo and the state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, emerged governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21, governorship election in Edo State.

While Ighodalo emerged winner of the PDP in one of the parallel primary election held at the Law Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia with 577 votes, Shaibu was declared winner from a parallel primary election conducted at the deputy governor’s lodge located on the Commercial Avenue, Benin City.

Announcing Ighodalo, the Chief Returning Officer for the election and Electoral Committee Chairman, Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, said, other aspirants in the election which include, Arthur Esele, Anselm Ojezua, Omosede Igbinedion, Osaro Onaiwu, Martins Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, Felix Akhabue and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama scored zero vote with exception of Shaibu who scored one votes.

“I hereby declare Asue Ighodalo, as the winner with 577 votes and returned PDP candidates for the September 21, governorship election on Edo state,” he said.

In his acceptance speech. Igohodalo promised to work for the people and the state.

According to him, Governor Godwin Obaseki has laid the good foundation for him to build on if elected governor.

He said he would assemble young men and women to turn the state around if eventually elected.

One of the aspirants. Bar. Omosede Igbinedion, during the primary stepped down for Ighodalo and directed his supporters to vote for him.

But Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama had earlier withdrawn participation in the election, citing irregularities in the ward congress and local government congress.

Meanwhile, while announcing the results of the parallel primary after collation, Bartholomew Moses, the Returning Officer, declared that Shaibu won with an overwhelming majority of over 3000 votes.

Shaibu’s supporters led by Festus Owu had moved to the deputy governor’s lodge after they were denied entry into the Samuel Ognemudia Stadium, Venue of the primary, where Ighodalo was elected.