The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday tightened its hold on Edo politics as Dr Joseph Ikpea and Barrister Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion emerged victorious in the Edo Central Senatorial and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections respectively, a development Governor Monday Okpebholo described as a clear pointer that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 will be a walk-over in the state.
Professor Kingsley Ubaorji, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Returning Officer for the senatorial by- election, at the wee hours of Sunday, in Ubiaja, the administrative headquarters of Esan South-East Local Government Area, declared Dr. Ikpea, the winner of the polls with 105,129 votes.
His closest rival, Prince Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), trailed with 15,146 votes.
“This is the declaration. I, Prof. Kingsley Ubaorji, hereby certified that I am the Returning Officer for the 2025 Edo Central Senatorial District bye election, held on the 16th day of August, 2024.
“That Ikpea Joseph of APC , having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared winner of the election” Prof. Ubaorji said
In the breakdown across the five local governments of Edo Central, Ikpea dominated convincingly, polling 20,781 votes in Esan Central against PDP’s 2,065; 20,366 in Esan North-East against 4,566; 14,873 in Esan South-East against 4,036; 39,490 in Esan West against 2,270; and 9,619 in Igueben against 2,209.
Ikpea, an engineer and grassroots politician from Ewatto in Esan South East, is returning to national politics after years of involvement in Edo’s political structure.
He will be filling the Senate seat vacated by Governor Okpebholo, who resigned from the Red Chamber following his emergence as governor after the September 2024 governorship election.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, the returning officer, Mr Clement Ighodaro, announced Barrister Omosede Igbinedion of the APC as winner in the early hours of Sunday at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area.
She garnered 77,053 votes to defeat her PDP rival, Mr Johnny Aikpitanyi, who polled 3,838 votes, while Dr Sandra Asemota of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 925 votes.
The contest was described by observers as one-sided, with Omosede sweeping most of the polling units in both Ovia North East and Ovia South West local government areas.
Omosede, daughter of business magnate and Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion served as a lawmaker in the 8th House of Representatives.
Her return to the Green Chamber is seen as a major political comeback, and a boost for the APC’s growing influence across Edo South.
Governor Okpebholo, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, congratulated the two winners and hailed Edo people for coming out in large numbers to vote massively for the APC.
He said that the outcome of the polls was a resounding vote of confidence, not only in the party but also, in the capacity of Ikpea and Igbinedion to give Edo a stronger voice in the National Assembly.
“This victory is a clear indication of the trust and confidence the people have in their ability to represent their interests effectively. I have no doubt that Ikpea and Igbinedion will be strong and powerful voices for our State, working tirelessly to attract development and ensure that the people of Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency receive the attention they deserve,” the governor said.
Okpebholo praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what he described as a free, fair, and credible election, and lauded security agencies for maintaining peace and order throughout the process.
He urged stakeholders to rally behind the winners as they begin their new journey of service, and assured that his administration would continue to work with all elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, to advance the progress and development of Edo State.
”On behalf of the Government and the good people of Edo State, I wish Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion a successful and impactful tenure. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will bring about positive change and prosperity for our State,” the Governor added.
Observers say the victories of Ikpea and Igbinedion consolidate the APC’s dominance in Edo following a string of electoral wins in recent months, including the governorship election that brought Okpebholo to power.
