The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Sunday formally announced the winners of its House of Representatives primary elections in Edo State, issuing certificates of return to successful candidates across the state’s nine federal constituencies.
The results were declared at the party’s state secretariat in Benin City by the Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Election Committee for Edo State, Muhammed Ajana, who described the exercise as one of the most transparent and credible primaries conducted by the party.
Ajana explained that the committee ensured fairness and openness by deploying election officials directly to the various federal constituencies, rather than conducting collation solely at the state headquarters.
He said the exercise was peaceful, well-coordinated, and free from violence or manipulation, adding that Edo State had set a standard for future internal party elections across the country.
“We have seen Edo as a pace-setter for subsequent elections. The election was more or less like a carnival,” he said.
“We did not just sit in Benin and write names behind closed doors. Members of the electoral committee were sent to the field to conduct the primaries, and the grassroots elected their leaders in the nine federal constituencies,” he added.
Following the announcement, certificates of return were presented to the successful aspirants.
Those declared winners include Paddy Iyamu for Oredo Federal Constituency, Omosede Igbinedion for Ovia Federal Constituency, Felix Osazee Igbinovia for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency, and Billy Osawaru for Uhunmwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency.
Others are Odianosen Okojie for Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Lucky Eseigbe for Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Oladele Bankole-Balogun for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Anamero Sunday Dekeri for Etsako Federal Constituency, and Andrew Ijegbai for Owan Federal Constituency.
Speaking after the presentation of certificates, the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, said the successful conduct of the primaries validated earlier assurances from the party leadership that the exercise would be peaceful and transparent.
Tenebe noted that while some constituencies experienced keen internal contests, the process ultimately produced candidates who enjoy broad acceptance among party members across the state.
