23rd May, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
The crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), again reared its ugly head again on Monday, as the party held parallel senatorial primary elections at different locations across the three senatorial districts.
Recall that the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has been at loggerheads with the national vice chairman (south-south) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, over who controls the party in the state.
The confrontation between the two factions has resulted in several court injunctions, restraining the adhoc delegates from participating in the elections.
The faction loyal to Governor Obaseki held its delegate election for Edo South senatorial district at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, while the Dan Orbih faction held its own at an undisclosed venue along Airport Road.
Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, a former member of the State House of Assembly and Ex-NDDC Commissioner, was elected by delegates in the Obaseki-led faction primary, while the incumbent member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was elected as candidate for Dan Orbih faction.
Iduoriyekemwen scored 113 votes to defeat his closest rival and two-time senator, representing Edo South senatorial district in the national assembly, Matthew Urhoghide, who polled 102 votes.
Similarly, Clifford Ordia, the senator representing Edo Central district who is currently in his second term in the red chamber, was elected by the Obaseki camp, while the Dan Orbih camp elected a former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, who scored 123 votes to defeat his contender, Friday Itulah, former speaker, Edo state House of Assembly, who scored 17 votes.
In the Edo north senatorial district, Pascal Ugbome garnered 140 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.