BENIN: The All Progressives Congress APC has secured victory in both Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency bye-elections.
Both seats had become vacant following the elevation of Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa to governor and deputy governor of Edo State, respectively.
Governor Okpebholo had in the lead up to the elections embarked on vigorous campaigns across the nooks and crannies of the affected constituencies.
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Sunday morning declared Hon. Joseph Ikpea of the APC winner of the Edo Central Senatorial poll.
Ikpea polled 105,129 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Prince Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, who recorded 15,146 votes.
Announcing the results at the collation centre in Ubiaja, Prof. Kingsley Omo-Iwoze, the Returning Officer, said: “I, Prof. Omo-Iwoze, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2025 Edo Central Senatorial District by-election held on the 16th day of August 2024. That Ikpea Joseph of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner of the election.”
Meanwhile, Ikpea has dedicated the victory to God and the people of Edo Central, pledging purposeful representation.
“This victory reaffirms the people’s faith in our capacity to deliver. I will work with our governor, party and community leaders to ensure every part of Edo Central feels the impact of quality representation,” he said.
Similarly, APC’s candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, was returned elected with 77,053 votes.
The PDP’s Johnny Aikpitanyi finished far behind with 3,838 votes, while Dr Sandra Asemota of the African Democratic Congress ADC secured 925 votes.
The breakdown of results for Edo Central showed APC’s dominance across the five local government areas:
Esan Central: APC 20,781, PDP 2,065
Esan North-East: APC 20,366, PDP 4,566
Esan South-East: APC 14,873, PDP 4,036
Esan West: APC 39,490, PDP 2,270
Igueben: APC 9,619, PDP 2,209
