Fifth time governorship contender in Delta state, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru has been declared winner in a factional governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.
The primary exercise which was characterised by commotion and protests, witnessed a boycott by three aspirants, Prof. Pat Utomi, Rt. Hon. (Engr) Victor Ochei esq. and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.
One of the aspirants, Rt. Hon Ochei and a House of Reps. aspirant, Mr. Kemmer Emina were attacked and manhandled by seemingly supporters of Chief Ogboru for protesting alleged irregularities during the accreditation of delegates for the exercise.
Emina was said to have been rushed to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained during the scuffles that were attended by sporadic gunshots, creating apprehension and tension.
Earlier in the day, the police had used cannisters and teargas on four occasions to disperse the mammoth of delegates from the rival factions loyal to the aspirants.
They stormed out of the venue with a large following of supporters as accreditation continued late into the night on Sunday and was concluded about 3am on Monday.
However, voting commenced afterwards with the controversial delegates list and was concluded at about 4pm in a very charged atmosphere, that witnessed intermittent clashes in the glare of heavy security presence.
Chief Ogboru polls a total of 3,292 votes
ahead of Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, who got 160 votes recorded against him.
Prof. Pat Utomi and Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who had earlier boycotted the exercise recorded 26 and 12 votes respectively.
The total votes cast was 3,644 while valid votes are 3,515. The void votes are 129.
Major Gen. Onoja, the Chairman of APC Delta state governorship primary election committee, while declaring Chief Ogboru as the Candidate of the Delta APC governorship, said the results was a reflection of Ogboru’s popularity and acceptance.
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