Delegates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held parallel primaries at different locations in the state between delegates loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki and vice chairman of the party, Dan Orbih. This is even as combined state security outfit and the Police arrested the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, Deborah Coker, Africa Independent Television (AIT) reporter, Sunny Ohioze Inarumen, and his cameraman, the Independent Television and Radio correspondent, Ogbomo Osamuyi, for giving coverage to the faction loyal to the Dan Orbih’s delegates of the party.
Some suspected thugs reportedly destroyed several vehicles belonging to members of the Orbih-led delegate parked at a filling station close to the venue along airport road.
Faction of the Orbih’s delegates held its primary at an event centre by the Airport gate, while Obaseki’s delegates held theirs at Ogbemudia’s stadium.
The Journalists were arrested and taken to Oko Police Division where they were detained for over four hours. They were said to have deposited a statement.
Deborah Coker of NAN, when contacted after her release, said they were arrested by a combined team of Edo Security Network, men of the State Vigilante and Police.
“Even after we told them that we are journalists doing our constitutional duty, they insisted that we are providing coverage for an illegal primary and that is why they took us to Oko Police station.
Meanwhile, at the indoor sports hall of the Dr Samuel Ogbemudia stadium where Obaseki’s delegates of the PDP converged, the former majority leader of Edo state House of Assembly, Hon Mathew Iduriyekemwen, emerged as the candidate defeating the incumbent Senator Mathew Uroghide. While Hon Ogbeide Ihama emerged the candidate at the Dan Orbih led delegates.
In Edo Central Senatorial district, former Minister of Works under ex- president Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Arch. Mike Onolememen, picked the PDP ticket for Edo senatorial district while Hon Clifford Ordia, the two term incumbent senator emerged in the Obaseki’s led faction.