All Progressives Congress,APC, has elected Hon Johnson Oghuma, as its candidate for the January 28 bye-election for Estako Federal constituency in the National Assembly.
The primary, which held at Ikelebe Sports Arena in Auchi at the weekend, Oghuma scored 334 votes to defeat Blessing Agbomhere who polled 75 votes.
Chairman of the APC electoral committee, Senator Ibn Na’ Allah, who declared Oghuma winner said 411 delegates were accredited but 409 votes were valid.
Senator Na’ Allah said two votes were declared invalid.
According to him, “I hereby declare Johnson Oghuma winner of the just concluded primaries. This is just a first step to the election proper. I urged all the party members to close ranks and ensure that your candidate emerge victorious in the main election.”
Before the elections were concluded, Agbonmhere stormed out of the Ikelebe Sports Arena at Auchi, venue of the APC primaries.
Agbomhere told newsmen that the primary was rigged in favour of his opponent.
He said party leaders were at the gate to identify delegates instead of using proper means of identification.
According to him, “I disagree with this election. There is compromise in this primaries. It is no longer free and fair. The delegates are being manipulated. There is no means of identification to know the real delegates.
“This election is not free. I am calling for the cancellation of this primaries.”
Security personnel formed a wall around Senator Na’ Allah to prevent any physical confrontation.
Senator Na’ Allah refused to succumb to the demands of Agbomhere and insisted that the primaries must continue.
His words, “I am here to do an assignment and we will do it. There is a right of appeal. Security agents, go and provide enabling environment for us to continue with our work.”
The ensuing chaos caused fears and panic among party members.
Security agents were at alert but the Auchi Vigilante Group stopped attempts to stop accreditation by Agbomhere supporters.
Agbomhere waved a broom he held as he danced round the field calling for the cancellation of the primaries.
Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Taiwo Akerele who was present at the primaries said the protest of Agbomhere was normal in any electoral contest.
State Chairman of the party, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, described the primaries as transparent. He described Agbomhere`s action as unfortunate.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, has picked a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Mr. Jude Imagwe, as its candidate for the Estako bye-election
Imagwe emerged through a consensus agreement but party members were still allowed to cast their votes.
Imagwe, who is a former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths Matters, said his emergence would redefine politics in the region.
