The preferred aspirant of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, on Thursday, emerged as the ticket bearer of the forthcoming governorship election scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024.
ASHENEWS earlier reported that the factional aspirant of the ruling PDP, who is also the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu was also declared as winner of the factional party.
He won the primary election by defeating six other aspirants, including two former House of Representatives members, Mr Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Omosede Igbinedion, who stepped down minutes before the primary.
Other aspirants he defeated are Anslem Ojezua, Felix Akhabue, Martin Uhomoibhi, Hadizat Umoru, Osaro Onaiwu and Arthur Esene, all scored zero votes.
The Chief Returning Officer and chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee, and Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, declared Ighodalo as winner after he garnered 577 votes.
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The primary was co-chaired by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta
The governorship primary was held at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha, led officials of INEC to monitor the process.
Ighodalo scored 577 votes to defeat other aspirants, including Deputy Gov. Philip Shaibu, who scored one vote.
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo who thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, promised prosperity for all Edo people.
He added that he would make deliberate efforts to tackle poverty and deliver good governance to the people.
Earlier, the State Chairman of PDP, Tony Aziegbemi, who welcomed the Edo Governorship Primary election Committee to the state, said the PDP was ready for the September governorship election.
Aziegbemi said a total of 594 adhoc delegates were elected by party members