The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo State branch has been thrown into chaos after two governorship candidates emerged within different factions.
Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu was first declared winner of a primary on Thursday afternoon.
In a video posted on X on Thursday, a man whose identity was not immediately clear declared Shaibu winner of the primary.
“After doing the counting of this primary election, Philip Shaibu has a score of 301. Therefore, we hereby declare Mr Shaibu as the authentic elected candidate for this election in PDP,” the man said.
Shaibu hugged his supporters and exchanged pleasantries with them.
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According to reports, he was the only PDP aspirant that the party members voted at the venue.
At the time of the announcement, the faction of Governor Godwin Obaseki had yet to begin its primary.
Shaibu fell out with the governor over his ambition to succeed Obaseki as the state’s chief executive this September.
On Thursday evening, businessman Asue Ighodalo was declared winner of another primary conducted by Obaseki’s faction.
The exercise was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the Edo State capital with Ighodalo polling 577 votes.
Chairman of the Edo PDP primary electoral committee and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State declared the financial and legal expert as the winner of the exercise.
“I, therefore, declare Asuelimen Ighodalo the winner of this concluded primary today with a total vote of 577. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” Dauda, who is the chief returning officer for the election, said.
“Therefore, I hereby return him elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming election in Edo State. My brother, congratulations.”
Lawal was flanked by his Delta State counterpart and co-chairman of the election committee Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Shaibu polled just a vote in the election.
