Three of the PDP Edo governorship aspirants, L-R: Iduoriyekemwen, Edebiri and Ize-Iyamu at a programme in Benin City.
The stage is set for another titanic electoral battle in Edo state. The two major political parites in the state, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party have elected men of considerable clout as their governorship candidates in coming election.
Godwin Obaseki has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, while the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has elected Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its flag bearer in the upcoming governorship election in the State.
According to pundits, the emergence of Obaseki as APC candidate was hardly surprising as he enjoys the full support of the outgoing governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
He beat the 11 other aspirants in the contest to succeed the outgoing governor.
Obaseki, who is chairman of the Edo state Economic and Strategic Team, emerged winner with 1,618 votes, beating his closest rival and the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu, who polled 471 votes.
Other contestants on the party’s umbrella are Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon who polled 247 votes, Dr. Chris Ogienwonyi 137 votes, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere who polled 11 votes, while Prof. Osarhiemien Osunbor got 9 votes, Tina Agbarha 3 votes, Peter Esele 8 votes, Austin Emuan 7 votes, Emmanuel Arigbe Osula 10 votes, Prof Ebegbue Amadasun 8 votes and Blessing Agbomhere 5 votes.
About 41 votes were invalid votes. The results were declared by the chairman of the Election Committee and governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari at about 4 a.m. on . A total of 2,582 delegates were accredited to elect the party’s flag bearer in the exercise which held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.
Meanwhile, PDP’s candidate Mr. Ize-Iyamu, a lawyer and pastor, defeated two other challengers – Solomon Edebiri; and Mathew Iduoriyekemwen.
In the result of the primaries announced by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Chairman of the committee that conducted the exercise, Mr. Ize-Iyamu, a former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo State Government, polled 584 votes to defeat two other aspirants.
His closest opponent, Mathew Uduoeyekemwen, according to Mr. Umahi, scored 91 votes while Solomon Edebiri polled 38 votes.
He was South-South leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting to the PDP in 2014.
Mr. Umahi said 713 delegates were accredited for the primaries from a total delegates’ list of 751, adding that there were no invalid votes.
Presenting Mr. Ize-Iyamu to the party members, primaries committee chairman thanked all PDP governors and members for their support which led to the success of the exercise.
