The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Edo State have been thrown into disarray following the emergence of parallel exercises and conflicting results across several federal constituencies.
DAILY POST gathered that the primaries, conducted across nine constituencies, were marred by irregularities. In Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, two separate exercises produced different winners. Incumbent lawmaker Hon. Marcus Onobun was declared winner of one exercise with 6,897 votes, while Hon. Lucky Eseigbe, backed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, emerged victorious in another. In his declared result, Eseigbe also claimed 6,897 votes but with Onobun receiving only 1,007 votes.
A similar scenario unfolded in Owan Federal Constituency, where Hon. Andrew Ijegbai was reported to have defeated the incumbent Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. However, Ihonvbere’s supporters circulated a different result showing him as the winner.
In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bankole Balogun and Mrs. Adetutu Owolabi were each declared winners by different returning officers. Balogun’s result, announced by returning officer Kassim Otono, gave him 3,368 votes against Owolabi’s 783.
Elsewhere, Dr. Paddy Iyamu won in Oredo Federal Constituency with 7,088 votes, defeating incumbent Hon. Esosa Iyawe. Hon. Omosede Igbinedion and Hon. Billy Osawaru secured their tickets in Ovia and Uhunwonde/Orhionmwon constituencies respectively. Hon. Dekeri Anamero polled 8,901 votes to win Etsako Federal Constituency, while Mr. Felix Igbinovia Osaze emerged victorious in Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency.
The conflicting results have raised concerns about the credibility of the primaries and the party’s ability to present unified candidates ahead of the general elections.