A Former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, on Friday presented the result sheet of the APC primary election to the Monarch of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who contested for the Senate ticket, polled the highest number of votes as announced by the electoral officer, Mohammed Ajana. He polled 27,154 votes while his opponents, Senator Neda Imasuen, got 13,580, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu got 6785.
Addressing the palace, Ogbeide-Ihama said the primary election was conducted in accordance with the constitution, guidelines, and procedures of the APC, adding that party members voted freely in the exercise.
While presenting the result sheet issued to him to the Oba, hr described the monarch as a father figure whose blessings would be invaluable in his political journey.
Ogbeide-Ihama said, “We have come to pay homage to you, our royal father, and also present the result sheet of the primary election to you.
The delegation to the palace, which included former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, APC State Chairman Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, former Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Lucky Imasuen, Lawrence Okah, Charity Aimanyanvbo, Felix Osazee Igbinovia, and Paddy Iyamu, informed the monarch of the outcome of the primary election and sought his royal blessings.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Odubu told the Oba that Ogbeide-Ihama emerged with the highest number of votes in the party’s exercise and was subsequently issued a result sheet by the electoral officer, Mohammed Ajana.
He said the visit was to formally acquaint the monarch with the development and to seek his fatherly prayers and blessings as the political process progresses.
In return, Oba Ewuare II offered prayers and called for peace and unity among members of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State.
In a moment that lightened the atmosphere, Oba Ewuare II jokingly asked whether the result sheet displayed before him had been generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), drawing laughter from palace chiefs and members of the delegation.
APC Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, and former Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen, responded that it was not.
The monarch thanked the visitors for the courtesy call and urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully, stressing that violence should have no place in the state’s political landscape.
Oba Ewuare II further appealed to aggrieved members of the APC to embrace reconciliation and work together for the progress of Edo South Senatorial District and Edo State, noting that peace and unity remained essential for development.
He emphasized that there is a time for everything and that God’s time is always the best, urging political actors to remain patient and trust in divine providence.
Recalling his long-standing relationship with Ogbeide-Ihama and his family, the monarch noted that they were well known to the palace.
He thereafter prayed for Ogbeide-Ihama and directed palace chiefs to also remember him in their prayers as he pursues his political ambition.
