Tension, delay trail Edo APC council primaries

There was tension and anxiety in some local councils of Edo State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) held its primary election for chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the March 3, 2018 election.

There was tension among party members in Owan East Local Council over delay in the conduct of the party primaries.

As at press time, only two of the three officials deployed to monitor the election were present.

Commissioner for Science and Technology, Emmanuel Agbale, who was supposed to lead the team was absent, as he was said to be in another ward at Warrake.

However, the leadership of the other 10 wards was waiting at the Afuze Township Stadium where Chairman of the council, Roland Edeki, conducted the primaries by affirmation in the presence of the other two delegates.

In Owan West Council, sports journalist and chairman of the Edo State Football Association (ESFA), Frank Ilaboya, emerged the chairmanship candidate.

In Igueben, Josie Ogedegbe was elected through affirmation as the party chairmanship candidate while Patience Oboh was elected vice chairmanship candidate.

From Esan North, Augustine Okoibhole and Saturday Iyoha Ehiabhi were elected chairman and vice chairmanship candidates.

Organising Secretary of the APC in Owan East, Fred Uanzekin, expressed fears that some party leaders planned to jeopardise the consensus arrangement reached by the party caucus in picking its candidates.

He said the party caucus had picked Victor Ohiosumuan as its chairmanship candidate, adding that they were prepared to go for primaries if the consensus arrangement was cancelled

Publicity Secretary of the APC in the locality, Paul Ehimieghe, cautioned against attempt to impose any candidate on the locality.

In Akoko-Edo Council, there was confusion, as the caucus of the party could not agree on a consensus candidate between Tajudeen Alhade and Fatai Maliki.