Confusion trails the Edo APC senatorial primary after parallel elections produced conflicting winners in Edo South

Confusion and parallel elections disrupted the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Edo State on Monday, with multiple aspirants laying claim to victory in the Edo South contest.

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The exercise, which was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, was conducted across the seven local government areas that make up the Edo South Senatorial District.

At the centre of the controversy are former governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and former lawmaker, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, both of whom were declared winners in separate parallel primaries.

In one of the exercises, Ogbeide-Ihama emerged victorious after polling 27,154 votes, according to the party’s Returning Officer, Mohammad Ajana.

Ajana said Senator Neda Imasuen secured 13,580 votes, while Ize-Iyamu polled 6,785 votes across the district’s 77 wards.

Ogbeide-Ihama is believed to enjoy the backing of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, although no official confirmation was provided by the party.

However, in a parallel exercise reportedly supervised by Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, Ize-Iyamu was declared the winner of the Edo APC senatorial primary.

Kabiru announced that Ize-Iyamu secured 33,399 votes to defeat Ogbeide-Ihama, who polled 12,560 votes, while Imasuen reportedly received 5,107 votes.

Speaking after being declared winner, Ize-Iyamu thanked his supporters for their backing and described the outcome as a significant milestone ahead of the general election.

The former APC governorship candidate also pledged to provide effective representation if elected into the Senate.

The development has intensified uncertainty within the party in Edo State, with party members and observers awaiting clarification from the APC national leadership regarding the authentic outcome of the primary.

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Political analysts warned that the conflicting results and parallel elections could deepen internal divisions within the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.