With 1,618 votes, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 10 governorship election.
Obaseki, the anointed candidate of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, defeated other aspirants, including the deputy governor, Pius Odubu, after the exercise held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, the leader of the party’s national delegation that conducted the primary election, announced the results.
The heavily-monetised exercise started on Saturday evening and ended on Sunday morning.
Obaseki has already extended a hand of fellowship to the losers but it is believed that with the way the exercise was “highly tilted in Obaseki’s favour, some of them may defect to the Peoples Democratic Party”.
As reported, each of the delegates went home with more than N1 million, received as bribe from many of the aspirants.
Other results are Pius Odubu 471; Ken Imasuagbon 247; Chris Ogiemwonyi 137; General Charles Airhiavbere 11; Arigbe Osula 10; Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor 9; Prof. Frederick Amadasun 8; Austin Emua 7; Blessing Agbomere 5 and Mrs. Justina Aghara 3.
Masari described the election as credible, fair and free and urged the losers and their supporters to close ranks ahead of the crucial governorship election in the state.
Masari said 41 votes were invalid.
In his acceptance remarks, Obaseki appealed to other contestants to join him in ensuring victory for the party on September 10.
Obaseki said the victory was a collective one which required cooperation of all to succeed.
He noted that with the conclusion of the primaries, a new phase that would define the future has commenced.
He described other aspirants as accomplished people and urged them to continue to work for the party to ensure its success in the governorship election.
He promised to build on the success recorded by the present administration.
Also speaking, Oshiomhole described the primaries as the best organised by the party.
He noted that the process was transparent, while the delegates were well behaved and called for unity among party members.
He said that all the aspirants belonged to one family and needed to work together to ensure victory at the polls.
Oshiomhole, who described Obaseki as sound, said that he was also at home with governance and “ready to hit the ground running”.
