Edo by-election: APC, PDP, others hold primaries, candidates emerge
With August 16, 2025, fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for by-election in 16 constituencies across 12 states in Nigeria, political parties in Edo State have conducted their primary elections, thereby producing flag-bearers for the respective constituencies.
The parties would be competing for the Edo Central senatorial district and Ovia federal constituency seats at the National Assembly.
Recall that the two seats became vacant at the upper and lower legislative chambers due to the resignation of the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, as Senator and Honorable member respectively, following their victory at the last gubernatorial election in Edo.
The Nigerian Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives had consequently declared their seats vacant leaving INEC with the responsibility of conducting a by-election to fill the vacancies.
Parties in the State warmed up to the occasion, as aspirants put mechanisms in place to become the flag-bearers of their respective platforms.
One of the major political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) considers the election an avenue to capture the seats which were hitherto occupied by the APC, in order to gain increased representation at the federal legislature.
The PDP primaries which held on Monday July 21, 2025, saw the emergence of Joe Okojie as the party’s candidate for Edo Central senatorial district, having scored 84 votes to beat John Yakubu and Friday Itulah who scored 52 and 21 votes respectively.
Similarly, Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi, being the only aspirant for the Ovia federal constituency seat, was confirmed as the PDP candidate in a primaries which held in Iguobazuwa, Ovia South-West local government area.
The APC Primaries saw the emergence of Joseph Ikpea as the sole candidate for the Edo Central senatorial seat while Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion emerged as the sole candidate for the Ovia federal constituency seat.
Paul Okojie became the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Edo Central senatorial seat.
