The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has emerged as the winner of a factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election, securing the party's candidacy for the September 21, 2024, governorship election with 301 votes out of the total 559 votes cast. The primary was conducted by Honourable Moses Bartholomew. However, tension arose as personnel of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) reportedly stormed the venue shortly after the primary, blocking the entrance and preventing delegates and journalists from leaving.
In declaring Shaibu the winner of the primary, Returning Officer Bartholomew Moses confirmed that the deputy governor garnered 301 votes. Prior to this, delegates had protested being barred from participating in the accreditation and voting process by officials believed to be acting on behalf of the state government at the Edo Hotel, the venue for delegate accreditation. Spokesperson for the protesters, Festus Owu, appealed to Shaibu to convey their message to the PDP National Headquarters, emphasizing that their votes should be respected in the selection of the state's leadership.
Responding to the protesters, Shaibu assured them that their votes would be significant in the primaries and that their concerns would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities. He expressed confidence in their support, indicating that it foreshadows victory in both the primaries and the main election in September.
