Parallel primaries and conflicting results have cast a shadow over the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Edo State, with multiple federal constituencies reporting contradictory outcomes. The elections, held across the state’s nine federal constituencies, were marred by parallel exercises, disputed declarations, and allegations of irregularities, raising concerns about the credibility of the process. In Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker Hon. Marcus Onobun was declared winner in one result, while Governor Monday Okpebholo’s preferred candidate, Hon. Lucky Eseigbe, was declared winner in another. This split in results has deepened tensions within the party ahead of the general elections.
In the first set of results, Hon. Onobun secured 6,897 votes, defeating Mr. Paul Ogedegbe, who got 3,738 votes, and Mr. Mathias Ehizua, who polled 2,446 votes. Hon. Eseigbe came fourth in this tally. However, in a separate declaration by Mr. Godswill Inegbe, Special Adviser to Governor Okpebholo on Communication and Strategy, Hon. Eseigbe was declared winner with 6,897 votes, while Onobun received only 1,007 votes. The conflicting results were announced at Okaijesan Hall in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, further fueling suspicion and unrest among party members and supporters.
Similar confusion emerged in Owan Federal Constituency, where Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, former Commissioner for Mining, was reported to have defeated the incumbent Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, with 3,695 votes. Ijegbai also defeated Hon. Abdul Oroh, while Prof. Ihonvbere came in third. However, supporters of Prof. Ihonvbere were seen circulating another result that favored him, indicating a possible parallel exercise in that constituency as well.
In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, the party’s Returning Officer, Kassim Otono, declared Hon. Bankole Balogun winner with 3,368 votes, defeating Adetutu Owolabi (783 votes) and Paul Johnson (1,663 votes). Meanwhile, in Oredo Federal Constituency, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, former Commissioner for Education, emerged victorious with 7,088 votes, defeating incumbent Hon. Esosa Iyawe. In Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion was returned as candidate, while Hon. Billy Osawaru won in Uhunwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency.
Hon. Dekeri Anamero secured victory in Etsako Federal Constituency with 8,901 votes, defeating aspirants like Mr. Jimoh Jimani (4,412 votes), Richard Lamai (3,127 votes), Dr. Blessing Agbomere (1,473 votes), and Hon. Johnson Oghuma (983 votes). In Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency, Mr. Felix Igbinovia Osaze emerged as candidate after defeating Hon. Pius Alile, the preferred choice of Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa.
The series of parallel primaries and conflicting declarations in Edo State highlight growing internal divisions within the APC, raising questions about party unity and the integrity of the nomination process. As the general election approaches, these developments may impact voter confidence and party cohesion in the state.
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