Attempts by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to broker consensus arrangements ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries have reportedly failed.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the primaries are scheduled to hold on Saturday across the state.
Sources within the ruling party disclosed that several aspirants rejected pressure to step down for candidates allegedly preferred by the governor and other party leaders.
According to party insiders, Governor Okpebholo subsequently advised aggrieved aspirants who refused the arrangement to test their popularity at the primaries.
In Oredo Federal Constituency, Dr. Paddy Iyamu emerged as the preferred aspirant of the party leadership.
However, his rival, Osaro Obazee, reportedly refused to withdraw from the race, setting the stage for a keen contest.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, former House of Representatives member, Omosede Igbinedion, is the sole aspirant and is widely expected to clinch the ticket unopposed.
For Uhunmwode/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, incumbent lawmaker Billy Osawaru was reportedly adopted ahead of Washington Osifo.
Similarly, leaders in Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency were said to have settled for Igbinovia Osaze as their preferred aspirant.
In Edo Central Senatorial District, the race for Esan West/Igueben/Esan Central Federal Constituency has intensified.
Party leaders reportedly endorsed Joseph Eseigbe as the consensus candidate, but former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun, allegedly refused to step down.
The development has heightened tension within the party ahead of the primaries.
Meanwhile, Odianosen Okojie, husband of Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson, has reportedly secured endorsement for a second-term ticket in Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency.
In Edo North Senatorial District, efforts to produce consensus candidates also failed.
For Owan Federal Constituency, House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, is expected to battle Abdul Oroh and Andrew Ijegbai for the APC ticket.
Ihonvbere is facing criticism over alleged violation of an existing rotation arrangement between Owan West and Owan East.
In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, party leaders reportedly settled for Otunba Bamidele Bankole-Balogun as the preferred aspirant.
Meanwhile, in Etsako Federal Constituency, Blessing Agbomhere was reportedly selected to replace incumbent lawmaker Sunday Anamero Dekeri.