BENIN CITY – The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, alongside Governor Monday Okpebholo, tightened its grip on the party structure on Saturday as preferred aspirants swept the House of Representatives primary elections conducted across the state’s 18 local government areas, with successful candidates issued certificates of return shortly after their emergence.
The exercise, described by party officials as peaceful, transparent and grassroots-driven, produced candidates widely seen as enjoying the backing of the state leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections, further consolidating the influence of the ruling party hierarchy in Edo.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Primary Election Committee for Edo State, Hon. Muhammed Ajana, who announced the winners at the party’s state secretariat in Benin and presented certificates of return to successful aspirants, described the exercise as one of the freest and fairest conducted by the APC.
According to him, no negative incident was recorded as committee members were deployed directly to the various federal constituencies rather than operating from Benin City.
Ajana said the process was peaceful, orderly and devoid of violence or manipulation, adding that Edo State had set a benchmark for subsequent APC primaries across the country.
“We have seen Edo as a pace-setter for subsequent elections. The election was more or less like a carnival.
“We did not just sit in Benin and write names behind closed doors. Members of the electoral committee were sent to the field to conduct the primaries, and the grassroots elected their leaders in the nine federal constituencies,” he said.
Following the declaration of results, certificates of return were issued to successful candidates across the nine federal constituencies, formally confirming their emergence as APC flagbearers for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Those declared winners included Dr Paddy Iyamu for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion for Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Felix Osazee Igbinovia for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency, Hon. Billy Osawaru for Uhunmwonde/Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, Hon. Odianosen Okojie for Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency, Dr Lucky Eseigbe for Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri for Etsako Federal Constituency, and Hon. Andrew Ijegbai for Owan Federal Constituency.
In Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency, Bankole-Balogun emerged victorious after polling 3,368 votes to defeat Paul Afeghase, who scored 1,663 votes, while Adetutu Owolabi garnered 793 votes.
Declaring the result, Returning Officer, Kassim Otono, described the process as peaceful and devoid of disruption.
“I am moving round monitoring the exercise. Everywhere is calm; we do not have any issues at all,” he stated.
Also speaking, APC Chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Mr Monday Oseh, commended party members for their orderly conduct.
In Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri, popularly known as Danco, defeated four other aspirants to secure the APC ticket for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
His aide confirmed that he secured the party’s mandate.
In Owan Federal Constituency, the APC primary was shaped by the constituency’s long-standing zoning arrangement, with stakeholders insisting on rotational representation between Owan East and Owan West.
The development effectively halted the return bid of incumbent House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, as Hon. Andrew Ijegbai emerged the party’s flagbearer in line with the zoning formula.
Speaking after the exercise, APC chieftain in the constituency, Ahmed Mahmud Okhuoya, said party members overwhelmingly backed Ijegbai in adherence to the rotational understanding practised since 1999.
“We are here today and more than 90 per cent are queuing behind Hon. Andrew Ijegbai because in Owan Federal Constituency, we are on a zoning arrangement and since 1999 till date, we are still practising that zoning arrangement,” he said.
Okhuoya explained that stakeholders rejected any attempt to alter the existing formula.
“Now he has finished his second tenure and is pleading to be given another chance to go for the third time. That is why both Owan West and Owan East unanimously rejected his call,” he added.
Speaking after the presentation of certificates of return, Edo APC Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, said the successful conduct of the primaries justified earlier assurances that the exercise would be peaceful and transparent.
According to him, although some constituencies witnessed keen contests, the process eventually produced candidates acceptable to party members across the state.
“In some areas it was keenly contested and thank God that candidates have emerged in the nine federal constituencies in Edo State,” he said.
Tenebe added that the exercise strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the 2027 elections, reiterating APC’s determination to mobilise massive support for President Bola Tinubu