All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State has been mired in confusion, with Anamero Dekeri emerging as the third aspirant to claim victory.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ojo Babatunde, representing all the local government returning officers, announced that Dekeri garnered 25,384 votes to defeat Dennis Idahosa, who secured 14,127 votes, coming in second place.
Babatunde declared, “Hon. Dekeri, having met the requirements of the law and scored the highest valid votes cast, has been declared the winner of the election and returned elected.”
Dekeri currently serves as the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
Initially, 12 aspirants were screened and cleared for the direct primary by the National leadership of the party. However, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Lucky Imasuen, and Ernest Umakhihe withdrew before the election.
Despite this declaration, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who chaired the primary election committee, declared Idahosa as the winner. Simultaneously, the returning officer for the primary, Stanley Ugboaja, announced Senator Monday Okpebholo as the APC candidate.
The announcement of results was marred by violence as thugs attacked the Lushville Hotel in Benin City, where the results were being announced on Saturday afternoon. The attack resulted in injuries to four individuals, with several journalists also being manhandled and their equipment damaged.
