The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has congratulated Dennis Idahosa for winning the Edo state governorship primary election.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje told the party’s flag bearer to carry all aspirants along to deliver the party at the September state governorship election.
Ganduje praised Chairman of the primary election committee of Edo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma, adding that its transparency in the conduct of the election was highly commendable.
He appealed to all aspirants to put aside their differences now that the primary election is over and join hands with the winner to deliver the party at the election.
Ganduje said: “I want to congratulate the winner of the Edo State governorship election, I want to equally commend and appreciate Governor Hope Uzodinma’s election committee for their hard work and the transparent manner in which the primary election was conducted.
“At this point, I want to call on all the aspirants to bury the hatchet and work for the interest of the party so that our party will emerge victorious “
He also praised all the party stakeholders and assured them that the party will do everything possible to ensure that Edo state is delivered.
There was a reported holding of another congress which produced Senator Monday Okpephole as also a governorship candidate of the APC.
Senator Monday Okpephole was declared winner by the Returning Officer for the election, Dr Stanley Ugboaje, at the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Idahosa gnated 40,453 votes in the primaries conducted by Uzodimma to emerge winner, while in the other primary supervised by Dr Ugboaje saw Monday Okpepholo scoring12,145 votes to beat other contestants.
According to Uzodimma, the primary was peaceful and duly conducted across the 18 local government areas and 192 wards of the state.
He said, “There was misinformation regarding the venue of the primary; this is the secretariat (Protea Hotel) for the election where results were collated and would be announced.
“Of the 12 aspirants that contested this primary, Clem Agba scored 100 votes, Sen. Monday Okpepholo 100; Hon. Dekeri Anamero 230; Engr. Gideon Ikhine 700 votes; David Imuse, 400 votes; Charles Airhavebere, 163 votes; Prof Osareime Osunbor 180 votes; Dr Blessing Agbomere, 50 votes; Hon Dennis Idahosa 40, 453 votes; Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe two votes; Lucky Imasuen and Pastor Ize-Iyamu scored two votes respectively”