By Abdullateef Bambgose
Ward-by-ward collated results from the just concluded direct primary election for the House of Representatives in Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency of Edo State have shown that the Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections.
Prof. Ihonvbere currently represents Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
There were reports in some sections of the media on Saturday night alleging that the House Leader lost the nomination contest.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Samson Akhanieme, the reports were dismissed as misleading.
According to the statement, the APC House of Representatives primary for Owan Federal Constituency, held on Saturday, May 16, was won by Prof. Ihonvbere.
Akhanieme disclosed that Prof. Ihonvbere polled 4,729 votes to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, who scored 2,912 votes, while Hon. Abdul Oroh came third with 29 votes.
He added that two aspirants, Hon. Foly Ogedengbe and Barr. Friday Ojealaro, had earlier stepped down from the race in support of Prof. Ihonvbere.
The CPS also presented result sheets and video clips from various wards in Owan East and Owan West local government areas as evidence of the outcome of the exercise.
According to him, Prof. Ihonvbere expressed appreciation to the electorate and APC stakeholders for their support and extended an olive branch to the other contestants.
“In a post-election interview, Prof. Ihonvbere solicited the continued support of all party members, adding that he is fully committed to working together with the other former aspirants to deliver total victory for the APC in the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.