Confusion Trails Edo APC Senate Primary Results

Confusion on Monday threw the Edo South Senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into fresh controversy as both Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama separately laid claim to victory following conflicting declarations by rival electoral officials.

The two parallel results emerged from the exercise conducted across the 77 wards in the seven local government areas that make up Edo South Senatorial District.

While the chairman of one faction of the electoral committee, Kabiru Ajana, declared Ogbeide-Ihama winner of the exercise, another returning officer, Muhammadu Kabiru, announced Ize-Iyamu as the elected candidate of the party.

Party faithful turned out in large numbers across the district to participate in the keenly contested primary involving Ize-Iyamu, Neda Imasuen and Ogbeide-Ihama.

However, the exercise, which was largely peaceful, recorded skirmishes in parts of Ikpoba-Okha, Uhunmwode and Oredo local government areas as supporters of various aspirants clashed over the conduct of the process.

Announcing the first set of results during a live broadcast, Ajana declared that Ogbeide-Ihama won convincingly across the seven councils.

According to him, “From the results submitted to the committee, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama scored 27,154 votes to emerge winner of the Edo South Senatorial primary.”

He added that Imasuen polled 13,580 votes, while Ize-Iyamu garnered 6,785 votes.

But in a counter declaration that immediately sparked confusion within party ranks, Muhammadu Kabiru announced a completely different outcome, declaring Ize-Iyamu winner of the exercise.

Kabiru said, “Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast, is hereby returned elected.”

He stated that Ize-Iyamu polled 33,399 votes to defeat Ogbeide-Ihama, who allegedly scored 12,560 votes, while Imasuen got 5,107 votes.

The parallel declarations have since heightened tension within the party.

Both Ize-Iyamu and Imasuen had earlier condemned the conduct of the primary, alleging irregularities and acts capable of undermining the credibility of the exercise.

Ize-Iyamu expressed appreciation to his supporters for standing by him throughout the contest.

“I thank our supporters across Edo South for their steadfastness and commitment. This victory is for the people, and by the grace of God, we shall proceed to the general election and offer quality representation,” he said.