Edo guber: Confusion as LGA returning officers declare Dekeri APC candidate

The LGA returning officers for the 2024 Edo state All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, have declared Anamero Dekeri, a serving house of representatives member, winner of the exercise.

The declaration has sparked confusion over who the real winner of the vote is.

Ojo Babatunde, spokesperson of the returning officers, announced Dekeri as winner of the primary election on Saturday night.

Babatunde said Dekeri, lawmaker representing Etsako federal constituency in the lower legislative chamber, polled a total of 25,384 votes to defeat his closest rival Dennis Idahosa, a house of representatives member who secured 14,127 votes.

“Hon. Dekeri, having met the requirements of the law and scored the highest valid votes cast, has been declared winner of the election and returned elected,” he said.

Babatunde’s announcement is contrary to that of Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and chair of the primary election committee.

Uzodinma had declared Idahosa winner of the primary election.

The Imo governor said 43-year-old Idahosa polled 40,483 votes to defeat other contestants, and will now fly the party’s flag in the September 2024 governorship poll.

On February 10, a total of 12 governorship hopefuls were screened and cleared to contest in the party’s primary election.

Clem Agba, a former minister and governorship hopeful, has since faulted the process.