The Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, conducts a divided primary election, and the winner is Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of Edo State.
Shaibu was reportedly named the party’s nominee for the September 21, 2024, governorship election after receiving 301 of the 559 votes that Honorable Moses Bartholomew cast during the primary.
However, it was reported that shortly after the primary, members of the Edo State Security Network, or ESSN, attacked the site.
Delegates and media were unable to exit the premises due to the presence of armed troops who had blocked the venue’s entrance.
The Returning Officer, Bartholomew Moses, announced Shaibu as the primary winner, stating that the deputy governor received 301 votes overall to become the PDP nominee.
Before the parallel primary, delegates objected because they were denied the opportunity to vote and participate in the accreditation process at the Edo Hotel. They felt that certain authorities were following a script written by the state administration.
Festus Owu, the protesters’ spokesperson, pleaded with Shaibu to assist them in conveying to the PDP National Headquarters that their votes should matter in deciding who leads the state beginning on November 12.
They warned that if their votes are not counted during the process, they might act against the party’s best interests in September, when the main election is held.
In response to the demonstrators’ plea, Shaibu told them that their votes would be counted in the primaries and that they shouldn’t be afraid since their message would be forwarded to the right people.
He explained to them that their overwhelming endorsement is a sign that he will win the primary and then the general election in September.
