Ahead of the February 21 governorship primary, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday conducted local government delegates’ congress.
The congress took place simultaneously across the 18 local government areas of the state except Etsako Central local government.
Recall that last Saturday, the ward congress election for Etsako Central local government was canceled due to the alleged abduction of nine electoral officers while on their way to the local government for the conduct of the ward congress.
The nine PDP electoral officers were allegedly kidnapped at Jattu community, in Etsako West LGA.
Eighteen delegates are to be elected across the 18 local governments with one delegate each with the exception of Etsako Central local government congress.
In Oredo LGA, 35 delegates voted while one was absent.
The congress which used option A4, was conducted by two PDP officials from the national headquarters, Abuja and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the presence of security agents.
The PDP officials that conducted the congress are Owolabi Kayode and Farida Umar.
At the end of the exercise, Osaro Idah emerged the elected delegate for the local government. Other two aspirants Martins Osakue and Aguebor Sunday were absent.
Owolabi Kayode, who declared Idah the elected delegate, commended the delegates for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner.
He described the exercise as one of the best, as it was devoid of rancour.
In Ikpoba Okha local government, Solomon Idehen emerged winner of the local government congress with 28 votes while two other contestants, Mr Johnbul Igbinosu and Mr Best Imade didn’t turn up for the election.
Speaking with journalists at the Western Boys High School, a PDP member, Yusuf Bukhari, described the congress as the best ever conducted by the party since 1999.
He said the congress was monitored by INEC officials as well as PDP national electoral officers from the national headquarters.
Also, at Eghosa Grammar School, the designated venue for Egor local government, the exercise was peaceful, as party faithful turned out in a large number to elect their delegates.
Security operatives from the Nigeria Police, the Edo State Security Network and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
A PDP chieftain in the area, Mr Festus Omoregbe lauded the delegates election, describing it as the best-ever conducted by the party.
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