Ahead of the September 22, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday held parallel primaries, resulting the emergence of two opposing candidates.
Our correspondent who monitored the primaries in Edo reports that results were announced at two different collation venues, namely the Protea Hotel, Benin City, and the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, one of the aspirants for the governorship seat who withdrew from the contest.
Alltimepost.com had reported on this earlier with a promise to provide an update on the chaotic and confusing situation.
At the Protea Hotel, Governor Hope Uzodima,the Chairman of the 7-man Committee for the primaries declared the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon Dennis Idahosa winner.
Announcing the results, Governor Uzodima said that Idahosa won with 40,452 votes; Gideon Ikhine, 700 votes; Senator Monday Okpebholo, 100 votes; David Imuse, 200 votes and Prof. Osariemen Osunbor 108 votes.
Governor Uzodima said that the Protea Hotel is the right venue for the collation and announcement of the results.
Collation of results was ongoing at Rushvile Hotel, Gapiona Road, GRA, Benin City, venue of a parallel primary before thugs invaded and disrupted the announcement of the result
The thugs were said to be working for one of the two major aspirants for the candidacy of the party.
Cameras, Laptops and other working gadgets of some journalists covering the event were smashed by the rampaging thugs who complained that the announced results did not reflect happenings during the primaries results.
Announcing the results at the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Mr Ogbuaja Stanley Uzoamaka, the State Returning Officer for the primaries said that Senator Monday Okpebholo won with 12,145 votes to defeat his closest rival, Hon Dennis Idahosa who polled 5,542 votes.