2027: INEC List Raises Questions Over Duplicate Names Of Edo Assembly Candidates

The duplication of candidates’ names across political parties and the low representation of women have emerged as notable features of the final list of candidates for the 2027 Edo State House of Assembly election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

An analysis of the 164 entries on the list identified two candidates whose names appear under both the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the same constituencies.

The affected candidates are Ogbebor Samson Osemudiamen, listed under both parties in Esan North East II, and Usman William Idenobe, whose name appears under the APM and PDP in Etsako East.

The duplication raises questions about whether the entries resulted from errors in the published list, nomination-related issues or other circumstances requiring clarification.

INEC’s final list identifies candidates cleared to contest elections across the state’s 24 House of Assembly constituencies.

When contacted, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Edo State, Toyin Buoro, acknowledged that the commission had also observed the duplicated entries.

“Our observation too, but that was what was sent from the headquarters, and we have drawn the attention of the appropriate quarters to it, awaiting their reply,” she said.

Beyond the duplicated names, the analysis of the list reveals a significant gender imbalance among the candidates contesting the election.

Of the 164 candidates counted, 148 are men, representing 90.24 per cent, while only 16 are women, accounting for 9.76 per cent.

The figures translate to approximately nine male candidates for every female candidate, highlighting the continued underrepresentation of women in the race for seats in the state legislature.

A breakdown of the 16 female candidates by political party shows that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has the highest number, with four, followed by the Action Democratic Party (ADP) with three.

The Labour Party (LP) has two female candidates, while the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP) and APM have one each.

For the APC, Maria Edeko, 63, is contesting the Esan North East II seat for a second term in the state assembly.

The PDP’s female candidate is Uyigue Efosa, 61, who is contesting in Ovia North East I, while the NDC has Natasha Osawaru, 32, contesting the Egor seat for a second term.

The SDP’s four female candidates are Kemi Akerele in Akoko Edo I, Shirley Negbedion in Esan North East I, Imuetinyan Bright in Egor and Tracy Ogiemwanye in Ikpoba-Okha.

The ADP’s three female candidates are Bukky Ayetan in Egor, Osarenkhoe Erhunmwunse in Ikpoba-Okha and Patience Edobor in Orhionmwon I.

Although the female candidates are spread across different political parties and constituencies, their combined share of 9.76 per cent remains below 10 per cent of the total candidates listed for the election.