BENIN CITY, NIGERIA — The All Progressives Congress tightened its hold on Edo State this weekend, sweeping two key legislative by-elections that underscored the ruling party’s dominance and raised new questions about the opposition’s future in the region.
On Saturday, voters across the Edo Central Senatorial District delivered a resounding mandate to Joseph Ikpea, a longtime APC stalwart, who captured more than 105,000 votes, a figure that dwarfed the tally of his nearest rival, Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party, who managed just over 15,000. The seat became vacant after Monday Okpebholo, the senator-turned-governor, was sworn in as the state’s chief executive late last year.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, the story was much the same. Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of Edo’s prominent Igbinedion political dynasty, staged a commanding return to the House of Representatives under the APC banner. She secured more than 77,000 votes, while her closest challenger, PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi, trailed far behind with fewer than 4,000. The vacancy arose when Dennis Idahosa, the area’s representative, became deputy governor.
The margins of victory were so wide that opposition figures conceded privately they had little hope of mounting a serious challenge. Turnout was modest but steady, according to election officials, with little of the chaos or violence that has marred previous contests in the state. Observers noted the APC’s deep organizational machinery and financial muscle as decisive factors.
For Governor Okpebholo, the by-elections offered more than just additional APC seats in the legislature. They served as an early referendum on his leadership less than a year into office, reinforcing his standing both within the state and at the national level. With Ikpea and Igbinedion now in Parliament, the governor has secured allies who are expected to align closely with his development agenda.
The victories also carry weight ahead of the 2027 general elections. Edo has long been a fiercely contested state, with power swinging between the PDP and APC over the past two decades. Saturday’s results, however, point to a shifting political landscape in which the APC appears firmly in command.
Analysts caution, though, that Edo’s politics remain fluid. Economic challenges, youth unemployment, and perceptions of elite dominance particularly in areas like Ovia, where political families wield outsize influence could still reshape loyalties before the next general vote.
For the PDP, the losses highlight deep organizational fractures. Once the dominant party in Edo, it now faces an identity crisis. Local leaders have been criticized for failing to mobilize grassroots support or articulate a coherent alternative to the APC’s governance.
Looking Ahead
In their victory speeches, both Ikpea and Igbinedion promised effective representation and pledged to deliver on infrastructure, job creation, and social programs. Yet many voters remain skeptical, weary of recycled promises that rarely translate into tangible change.
Still, for the APC, the weekend’s outcome is cause for celebration and a warning sign to its rivals. By reclaiming two strategic seats with overwhelming margins, the party has not only reinforced its grip on Edo but also sent a clear signal about its capacity to mobilize ahead of 2027.
For now, the once-competitive political map of Edo looks decidedly one-sided.
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