Ighodalo, who is backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, was elected at the delegate election of the party held on Thursday, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

But the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, held a parallel primary elsewhere and was declared parallel winner, after securing 300 votes.

Ighodalo scored a total of 577 votes to beat his closest rival, Shaibu, who scored one vote while other candidates scored zero vote.

In his acceptance speech Ighodalo thanked Obaseki and the entire people of Edo State for their love and support, noting that if he wins the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, he would be building on what he described as solid foundation that  Obaseki had laid.