Oghuma, Imagwe battle for Edo House of Reps seat

AGENE GODWIN, Benin

The All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Saturday held their primaries for the Etsako Federal Constituency House of Representatives by-election scheduled to hold January 28.

The APC Primaries had former member of the Edo state House of Assembly Hon Johnson Oghuma as winner with 334 votes while his opponent Blessing Agbomhere polled 75 votes and there were two void votes.

Oghuma was announced the APC flag bearer by the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Alla‎, at the Ikelebe Sports Complex in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, venue of the primaries.

Agbomhere who had earlier briefed newsmen expressed displeasure over the conduct of the election which according to him was free but not fair and credible.

Also, for the PDP, the former Special Assistant on Youths and Students Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Jude Imagwe emerged flag bearer in a consensus arrangement.

The state Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, told our correspondent that the former presidential assistant had a strong support base and would provide good leadership at the National Assembly.

Speaking on the outcome of the APC primaries, Hon John Akhigbe who had declared support for Oghuma in a preceding meeting with the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu said the exercise was peaceful.

He said he had to give up his ambition and obey party directives by supporting Oghuma for the Reps seat as he had more chances of winning the main election against the opposition PDP.

On his part, the member of the Edo state House of Assembly representing Etsako East Constituency, Hon Kingsley Ugadi said the best candidate has emerged in a free, fair and credible primaries.