The crisis that erupted in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over its last Saturday’s governorship primary, took another dimension on Sunday as yet another aspirant in the race, Mr Sunday Anamero Dekeri, claimed victory in the poll, just as he expressed confidence that with him as the party’s candidate in September 22 election, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), could kiss the Dennis Osadebay Avenue Government House goodbye.
Dekeri, who is a member of the House of Representatives representing Etsako Federal Constituency, is the third person to claim victory in the primary with his counterpart from Ovia Fed Constituency, Mr. Dennis Idahosa, and the senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo, haven been declared winners by two previous factions of the Edo APC Governorship Primary set up by the National Working Committee (NWC), of the party.
While Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, wow as the chairman of the committee declared Idahosa as the winner, the State Returning Officer, Dr Stanley Uzoamaka, declared Okpebholo as the winner. Dekeri was in turn also pronounced winner of the primary by the spokesman of the Local Government Returning Officers, Mr Ojo Babatunde.
Dekeri, who is popularly known as Danco, while delivering his acceptance speech on Sunday, advised the PDP to pack its bags and luggage, as the APC would take over the Government House after the election.
He also thanked his party for nominating him as the party flag bearer and vowed to rededicate himself to the next stage of the process, maintaining that the party would triumph during the elections, and called on other aspirants to join hands with him to win the election.
According to Dekeri, “On February 17, 2024, members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State came out to vote for a candidate of their choice to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming gubernatorial election for Edo state. In their wisdom they elected me, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri as their preferred candidate. In all humility and with a great sense of responsibility I accept this choice which I believe is a reflection of God’s choice.
“From the depth of my heart, I say a big thank you to members of our great party in Edo State for reposing this huge confidence in me, which I must say I do not take for granted. I must also thank critical stakeholders, especially the state and national working committees for insisting on total adherence to electoral guidelines as stipulated in the timetable.
“At this point, I must acknowledge my co-contestants and great party members who put up a commendable challenge during the contest. Your participation I must say helps deepen democracy in our party.
“You fought gallantly and with passion. We might have disagreed during the campaigns which is not unusual in any contest, however our members have made a choice. There is no victor and there is no vanquished. It is APC that has won. Democracy is the winner.
“Therefore, I invite you to join hands with me and let us match together, shoulder to shoulder with great strength and commitment and remove the temporary occupant at Osadebey Avenue, the PDP come September 2024,” he said.