Dr. Azemhe Azena, a Pentecostal clergyman, clinched the candidacy of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yakubu Shendam, in Abuja on Sunday, revealed that Azena secured 211 votes, surpassing three other contenders at the party’s primary election held in Benin on Friday.
Senator Kawu Sumaila, the Chairman of the NNPP Primary Election Committee for Edo, Azena, emerged victorious over Mr. Peter Okieguale, who garnered 100 votes, securing the second position.
In addition to defeating Mr. Okieguale, Azena outpaced Rev. Sebastian Iyere and Mr. Balogun Engeyemhe, who received 25 and 17 votes, respectively.
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The transparent conduct of the primary was ensured by the presence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission, representatives from security agencies, and observers from civil society groups, as highlighted by Shendam.
Dr. Azemhe Azena, who serves as a pastor in the south-south region of his church, hails from Okpekpe in the Etsako-East Local Government Area within the Edo North senatorial district.