Controversy in Edo PDP as primary election produces two Candidates

By Mercy Onyenweli

Two governorship candidates, Asue Ighodalo and the state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu have emerged governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two separate gubernatorial Primaries.

While Ighodalo emerged winner of the PDP in one of the parallel primaries election held at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia with 577 votes, Shaibu was declared winner by Mr. Bartholomew Moses, the Returning Officer, from another parallel primary election conducted at his lodge, located on the Commercial Avenue, Benin City with 300 votes.

Announcing Ighodalo, the Chief Returning Officer for the election and Electoral Committee Chairman, Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, said, Asue Ighodalo emerged winner of the primary with 577 votes.

He 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 vote.

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

In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo, promised to work for the good of 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.

A total of 10 aspirants had contested for the ticket, but seven presented themselves for the primary while three stayed away

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 withdrew participation in the election citing irregularities in the ward congress and local government congress.

Meanwhile, the deputy governor Philip Shaibu, and his supporters held their parallel primary at the deputy governor’s lodge located

on the Commercial Avenue, during which he was elected candidate of the party.

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.