By Jethro Ibileke
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday conducted its House of Representatives primary elections across the 18 local government areas of Edo State, with party officials describing the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
Results from several federal constituencies had begun to emerge at the time of filing this report, while collation was still ongoing in some areas.
In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Oladele Bankole-Balogun secured the party’s ticket after polling 3,368 votes. He defeated Paul Afeghase, who garnered 1,663 votes, and Adetutu Owolabi, who received 793 votes.
Speaking on the conduct of the exercise, the APC chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Mr Monday Oseh, said the process went smoothly and reflected the will of party members.
The Returning Officer for the constituency, Kassim Otono, formally declared Bankole-Balogun the winner of the contest.
In Etsako Federal Constituency, Anamero Dakeri reportedly emerged victorious after defeating four other aspirants to clinch the APC ticket.
For Ovia Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker Omosede Igbinedion won the party’s nomination, securing another chance to contest the seat.
The primaries, however, produced setbacks for some serving lawmakers.
In Owan Federal Constituency, Professor Julius Ihonvbere lost his re-election bid to former Commissioner for Mining, Andrew Ijegbai. Ijegbai was declared winner after polling 3,695 votes.
A similar outcome was recorded in Oredo Federal Constituency, where the incumbent representative, Eseosa Iyawe, was defeated by former Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu. Iyamu emerged victorious with 7,088 votes.
Reacting to the exercise, Edo APC chairman Jarret Tenebe commended party members for their participation and described the primaries as transparent and credible.
According to him, the party had earlier directed all registered members to take part in the voting process.
“The exercise has been free and fair so far. It shows the level of preparedness of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
Tenebe added that the party was determined to field strong candidates for future elections and expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in 2027.
“We are putting forward our best candidates for the House of Representatives and we will continue the same approach in subsequent primaries,” he stated.
He also reiterated the party’s commitment to delivering substantial electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
