LIVE UPDATES
Edo State's political scene erupted on Thursday with two conflicting outcomes from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary election.
Recall RocketParrot reported that the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu won the Edo PDP Primary in a parallel victory, securing 300 votes.
However, in an official poll, a former Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo emerged PDP Edo guber candidate.
Ighodalo Takes Official Crown:
Former Sterling Bank Chairman Asue Ighodalo emerged victorious in the official primary held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, Ighodalo garnered 577 votes, leaving closest rival Philip Shaibu with just one. Several other aspirants withdrew citing irregularities.
In his acceptance speech, Ighodalo pledged to build upon Obaseki's "solid foundation" and assemble a young team to transform the state if elected in September's governorship election.
Shaibu Claims Parallel Victory:
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu held a parallel primary elsewhere, declaring himself the winner with 300 votes.
His supporters alleged they were denied accreditation and the official delegate list was manipulated.
Addressing protesting delegates, Shaibu vowed to challenge the official results, claiming they used "fake delegates." He emphasized the legitimacy of his own supporters and their votes.
Chaos Erupts:
Adding to the drama, gunmen shot sporadically at the official venue after the vote, scattering people in panic.
While Shaibu urged calm and promised to fight for his delegates, the incident highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding the election.
Edo PDP Uncertain Next Steps:
With two contrasting results and accusations of misconduct, the PDP in Edo faces a major challenge.
It remains unclear which candidate the party will officially endorse and what actions the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will take to address the dispute.
This chaotic primary casts a shadow on the upcoming gubernatorial election, raising questions about the party's unity and ability to present a united front against the ruling APC.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the PDP attempts to resolve the conflict and determine its rightful candidate, while INEC navigates the legal and political complexities of this highly contested primary.
