Former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries in the state.
Ize-Iyamu, who decamped from the All Progressives Congress in 2014 after disagreeing with Governor Adams Oshiomole, defeated two other aspirants – Solomon Edebiri; and Mathew Iduoriyekemwen.
He had at different times served Oshiomole as SSG and Chief of Staff.
He was National Vice Chairman, South-South, of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and led Governor Oshiomhole’s campaign for second term in 2012.
After he left the APC, he joined the PDP and became Coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation for the 2015 presidential election.
According to the result of the primaries announced on Monday by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Chairman of the committee that conducted the exercise, Ize-Iyamu, polled 584 votes.
His closest opponent, Mathew Uduoeyekemwen, according to Mr. Umahi, scored 91 votes while Solomon Edebiri polled 38 votes.
Umahi said 713 delegates were accredited for the primaries from a total delegates’ list of 751, adding that there were no invalid votes.
Presenting Mr. Ize-Iyamu to the party members, primaries committee chairman thanked all PDP governors and members for their support which led to the success of the exercise.
In his acceptance speech, Ize- Iyamu commended the national leadership of the party and the electoral committee for transparency and fairness in the process.
Calling the primary election a family affair, Ize-Iyamu said the real fight to reclaim Edo State would begin immediately.
Before the collation of results, the three aspirants said they were satisfied with the process, describing it as transparent, free and fair.
The gubernatorial election is slated for September 10.
