The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Dr. Joseph Ikpea, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion winners of the Edo Central senatorial district and Ovia Federal Constituency By-elections respectively.
While Okojie won the election for the Edo Central senatorial seat with 105,129 votes beating to a distant second the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Joe Okojie who scored a paltry 15,146 votes, Igbinedion, a lawyer, garnered 77,053 votes to book a seat at the House of Representatives humbling the PDP candidate, Johnny Aikpitanyi who got only 3,838 votes.
Newsmata.com.ng recalls that INEC had declared the two NASS seats vacant following the election of the two former members, Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa as governor and deputy governor respectively, of Edo State at the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial poll.
Declaring Dr. Ikpea winner in the wee hours of Sunday morning at Ubiaja, the administrative headquarters of Esan South-East LGA of Edo State, Prof. Kingsley Omo-Iwoze, the INEC Returning Officer for the Edo Central senatorial by-election said, “I, Prof. Omo-Iwoze, hereby certified that I am the Returning Officer for the 2025 Edo Central Senatorial District bye 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”.
Speaking shortly after his declaration, the Senator-elect dedicated his victory to God and the people of the district who he said had chosen vision over sentiment, progress over politics-as-usual.
Ikpea said, “This victory reaffirms the people’s faith in our capacity to deliver. I will not disappoint them.
“I will work hand in hand with our governor, our party, and community leaders to ensure that every part of Edo Central feels the impact of quality representation.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo is a leader of exceptional qualities, strategic, selfless and deeply connected to the people. His support has been a stabilising force throughout this journey”.
Dr. Ikpea promised to prioritise legislation and interventions in the areas of infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, and the strengthening of traditional institution.
Retuning officer for the Ovia Federal Constituency by-election, Clement Ighodaro, who declared Igbinedion winner, said the
candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dr. Sandra Asemota scored 925 votes.
Igbinedion, daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011.