APC Shakes Edo Politics: Consensus Candidates Unveiled For By-Elections

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion as its consensus candidates for the upcoming by-elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the elections for August 16.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Joe Ikpea will run for the Edo Central Senatorial seat, while Omosede Igbinedion will contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Ovia Federal Constituency.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa confirmed Igbinedion’s selection during a gathering of party stakeholders and supporters in Benin City. He explained that her emergence followed broad consultations and a unified agreement among APC members in the Ovia axis.

“This is beyond just filling a vacant seat,” he stated. “It’s about delivering quality, experienced, and people-focused representation to the constituents of Ovia. After widespread consultations, we unanimously agreed to field Hon. Omosede Igbinedion as our consensus candidate for the by-election.”

In her response, Igbinedion expressed gratitude to the party leadership and stakeholders for the trust placed in her. “This is a call to service, and I do not take it lightly. Ovia deserves effective and responsive representation, and I’m committed to building on the progress made by my predecessors, especially my brother and friend, Hon. Dennis Idahosa,” she said.

Regarding Joe Ikpea’s candidacy, Patrick Esangbedo, APC Vice Chairman for Edo Central Senatorial District, formally informed the State Working Committee during a meeting held on Saturday. He noted that the party caucus in the zone had unanimously endorsed Ikpea as the sole candidate for the senatorial by-election.

The by-elections were necessitated by the emergence of Governor Monday Okpebholo, who vacated the Edo Central Senate seat following his win in the September 21, 2024 governorship election, and by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa’s resignation from the Ovia House of Reps seat after his recent electoral victory.