INEC Names Edo Speaker, Omosede, Onobun, Others As Edo PDP Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission has named Barrister Omosede Igbinedion, speaker of the Edo State House of Assemblu, Marcus Onobun, Barrister Jimoh Ijegbai and a former speaker of the House, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, as candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party for the House of Representatives in next year’s general elections.

The names of Barrister Omosede who is gunning to represent Ovia federal constituency and others were published on the website of INEC as final list of candidates of Edo PDP for the National Assembly.

Speaker Onobun is contesting to represent Esan West/Esan Central and Igueben federal constituency, Hon Adjoto is seeking election to represent Akoko-Edo federal constituency while Hon Ijegbai is gunning to represent Owan federal constituency.

Senatorial candidates on the new list include Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen for Edo South, Senator Clifford Ordia for Edo Central and Senator Francis Alimekhena for Edo North.

Edo PDP candidates preciously  published in the list by INEC were those conducted in the primary organised by a faction of the party led by Chief Dan Orbih.

On the list recently published by INEC, it was stated that the names were published based on a court order.

A source within the electoral body said it does not want to dabble into internal politics of the Edo PDP.

The source said the final names published as regards candidate of the party were based on a recent court order.

Head of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in Edo State, Mr. Timidi Wariowei, who confirmed the updated version of the list said the change was effected on INEC’s website based on court order.

He said; “Some people came to our office in Benin City to inquire about the authentic list of PDP candidates in Edo State for the 2023 general elections.

“When we checked INEC’s website, we discovered that there was an updated version of the list of PDP’s candidates for next year’s general elections in Edo State, strictly based on court order.

“I do not have information on when the list was updated, and I do not know which of the factions has its candidates on the just-updated list.”