By Ibrahim Ramalan
Abuja
Godwin Obaseki has been declared winner of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries for the September 10 election in Edo state.
A statement monitored in Abuja, according to the leader of the party’s national delegation that conducted the primary election, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Obaseki scored 1,618 votes to defeat his 11 opponents.
Masari, while announcing the results in Benin, the state capital, described the election as credible, fair and free and urged the losers and their supporters to close ranks ahead of the crucial governorship election in the state.
Other aspirants were deputy governor of the state, Pius Odubu, who polled 471 votes, former minister of state for works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, 137 votes, Ken Imasuagbon, 247 votes, a former governor of the state, Osariemen Osunbor, eight votes and Prof. Ebegue Amadasu, who also polled eight votes.
Similarly, Charles Airhiabvere, a retired major general, garnered 11 votes, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, 10 votes; Austin Emuan, seven votes; Blessing Agbomhere, fives votes, and the only female aspirant, Tina Agbarha, three votes.
Masari said 41 votes were invalid.
In his victory speech, Obaseki said his triumph was a collective one which required cooperation of all party members to succeed.
He noted that with the conclusion of the primaries, a new phase that would define the future, had commenced.
Also speaking, the state Governor Adams Oshiomhole, described the primaries as the best ever organised by the party.
He noted that the process was transparent, while the delegates were well behaved and called for unity among party members.
He said all the aspirants belonged to one family and needed to work together to ensure victory at the polls, saying Obaseki was sound and at home with governance and “ready to hit the ground running.”
