The preferred aspirants of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday emerged winners in the House of Representatives primary elections conducted across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

The exercise, which was monitored in different parts of the state, was generally described as peaceful by party officials and stakeholders.

In Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, the APC Chairman, Mr Monday Oseh, said the exercise was smooth and peaceful, noting that the party’s preferred candidate emerged victorious.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Kassim Otono, declared that Oladele Bankole-Balogun polled 3,368 votes to defeat other aspirants, including Paul Afeghase, who scored 1,663 votes and Adetutu Owolabi who secured 793 votes.

He said, “I am moving around monitoring the exercise, everywhere is calm, we don’t have any issues at all. We will have a peaceful exercise and the results will be declared.”

In Etsako Federal Constituency, Embassy Momodu, an aide to the preferred aspirant, Hon. Anamero Dakeri, popularly known as Danco, disclosed that Dakeri had already been declared the winner and emerged as the party’s candidate after defeating four other aspirants.

Also, in Oredo Federal Constituency, former Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, emerged as the APC candidate for the election.

Similarly, the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, emerged as the party’s candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency.

Results from the remaining five Federal Constituencies are still expected at the time of filling this report.