Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Dr. Paddy Iyamu, former Commissioner for Education, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly primary elections conducted across Edo State.
Backed strongly by the leadership of the APC and the governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Paddy Iyamu defeated the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Eseosa Iyawe, to clinch the ticket.
His victory has been highlighted as a major success among the Okpebholo-anointed aspirants who dominated the primaries.
The House of Representatives primary elections, which took place peacefully across all 18 local government areas of Edo State, saw most preferred and anointed candidates of the APC leadership and Okpebholo emerge victorious. Party officials and stakeholders who monitored the exercise described it as smooth, calm and well-organised with no major issues reported.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, incumbent Hon. Omosede Igbinedion retained the party’s ticket. In Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Dakeri, popularly known as Danco, defeated four other aspirants to emerge as the candidate. In Akoko-Edo, Oladele Bankole-Balogun polled 3,368 votes to defeat Paul Afeghase who scored 1,663 votes and Adetutu Owolabi with 793 votes. The APC Chairman in Akoko-Edo, Mr. Monday Oseh, confirmed the exercise was peaceful and that the preferred candidate won.
In Owan Federal Constituency, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, a former Commissioner for Mining, caused an upset by defeating Professor Julius Ihonvbere. Ijegbai polled 3,695 votes to secure the nomination.
With Dr. Paddy Iyamu and other Okpebholo-backed aspirants now confirmed as the APC candidates for the National Assembly election, the party is said to be strongly positioned as it prepares for the general polls.
Congratulations continue to pour in for Dr. Paddy Iyamu and the other successful candidates from party faithful and stakeholders across Edo State.
