The crisis following Saturday’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has intensified, with three candidates now asserting their claim to the party’s ticket for the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Anamero Sunday Dekeri was on Saturday night declared the winner of the primary election, bringing the number of candidates who emerged from the primary election to three.

Daily Post reports that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the governorship primary committee, and Ugboaja Stanley Uzoamaka, the Returning Officer, had earlier declared Honourable Dennis Idahosa and Senator Monday Okpebholo as the candidates of the party for the election, respectively.

While Uzodinma declared Idahosa winner at Protea Hotel, Benin City, with 40,453 votes as against 100 votes for Monday Okpebholo, Uzoamaka, the Returning Officer, declared Okpebholo winner at Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s residence, with 12,145 votes as against 5,536 votes for Idahosa.

However, Mr Ojo Babatunde, the Spokesman of the local government returning officers, on Saturday night declared Honourable Anamero Sunday Dekeri winner of the primary election with 25,384 votes, defeating his closest rival, Idahosa, who polled 14,127 votes.

Dekeri is the member representing Etsako Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Babatunde, the spokesman of the local government returning officers, said a total of 12 aspirants were screened and cleared for the direct primary by the national leadership of the party.

According to him, Dekeri, having met the requirements of the law and scored the highest valid votes cast, has been declared winner of the election and returned elected.

In his acceptance speech, Dekeri commended the delegates for given him the mandate to fly the party’s flag in the governorship election.

Dekeri noted that the confidence reposed in him by members of the party will not be taken for granted.

“On February 17th, 2024 members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State came out to vote for a candidate of their choice to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming gubernatorial election for Edo state.

“In all humility and with a great sense of responsibility, I accept this choice which I believe is a reflection of God’s choice. From the depth of my heart I say a big thank you to members of our great party in Edo State for reposing this huge confidence in me, which I must say I do not take for granted,” he said.

While noting that there was no victor and no vanquished in the primary election, Dekeri called on

on the other aspirants to join hands with him in the task of taking over the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He, commended President Bola Tinubu for his support and insistence on the best value of democracy, which he said provided a level playing field for all the contestants.

He, also commended the National Working Committee, NWC, State Working Committee, SWC, party executives and members at all levels for their commitment and dedication to the growth and development of party.