Odubu (in white) acknowledging cheers from his supporters

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

There is palpable apprehension in Edo State, as delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), prepare to elect the party’s candidate for the September 10 governorship election in the state.

Accreditation of delegates to election began as earl y as 8:30 am at three different venues, as delegates from Edo North were accredited at Imaguro College, along Sapele road, while those from Edo Central were accredited at George Idah Primary School, in GRA and Edo South delegates were accredited at Agbado Primary School, along Akpakpava road.

As at 4 pm, activities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the delegate election was still at very low ebb as non of the election committee members, led by Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has arrived.

The State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who himself is a super delegate, had arrived and was already seated at the VIP pavilion.

Also, hundreds of delegates from across the 18 local government areas of the state were already seated under canopies erected on the main bowl of the stadium.

Unofficial reports had it that names of some of the 2,783 delegates were deleted from the lists of the delegates taking part in the election.

The atmosphere in the stadium however ruptured into tumultuous one when one of the aspirants, Dr. Pius Odubu , stepped into the stadium at about 4:20 pm.

As Odubu who is the state deputy governor, went round the delegate sitting areas to greet them, hundreds of his supporters huddled behind him, singing “Odubu for Governor” behind him.

Commenting on the conduct of the delegate accreditation, the State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, commended organisers of the election for a job well done.

Ezike said he would advise other political parties too emulate the well-organised delegate election of the APC