APC Sweeps Edo Central And Ovia By Elections

The All Progressives Congress has won the two National Assembly by-elections conducted on Saturday in Edo State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed Dr Joseph Ikpea as senator-elect for Edo Central Senatorial District and Omosede Igbinedion as the new representative for Ovia Federal Constituency.

The seats became vacant in September 2024 after Monday Okpebholo, who was senator for Edo Central, was sworn in as governor, and Dennis Idahosa, who represented Ovia Federal Constituency, assumed office as deputy governor. INEC conducted the polls to fill both positions in line with electoral guidelines.

In the Edo Central contest, Returning Officer Professor Kingsley Ubaorji announced Ikpea’s victory at Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area. He polled 105,129 votes, defeating Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 15,146 votes. The outcome gave APC a sweeping margin across the district.

In Ovia Federal Constituency, Returning Officer Professor Clement Ighodalo declared Omosede Igbinedion winner after she secured 77,053 votes. Her closest challenger, Johnny Aikpitanyi of the PDP, polled 3,838 votes, while Sandra Asemota of the Action Democratic Congress followed with 925 votes.

The victory marked a political comeback for Igbinedion, who first entered the House of Representatives in 2011 but lost two subsequent bids to Dennis Idahosa. After Idahosa was named APC’s governorship candidate and later assumed office as deputy governor, Igbinedion defected from the PDP to the APC and won the party’s ticket for the by-election.

The twin victories further strengthen APC’s presence in Edo State, giving the party control of the two vacant National Assembly seats and boosting its influence ahead of future elections.