Gov Okpebholo Braces For Tough Edo Central By-election

Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpeholo, has seemingly ‘relocated’ to Edo Central, his senatorial district ahead of the August 16, 2025, senatorial by-election, to ensure his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) retains the post he vacated after he was elected governor last year.

Sources at the Government House, Osadebey Avenue in Benin City, confirm that activities at the state’s seat of power have slowed down as the governor and his political machinery have shifted focus to Edo Central to intensify grassroots mobilisation.

LEADERSHIP checks also revealed that the governor has been personally involved in all the campaign events for the senatorial election.

But the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohombamu, said the governor has not abandoned governance for politics adding that he is executing both as expected of him.

The commissioner told LEADERSHIP that the governor has been flagging off projects across the three senatorial districts in the state.

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The by-election is widely regarded as a litmus test for Governor Okpebholo’s popularity and political influence in his senatorial zone, especially following the 2024 governorship election in which the PDP won three of the five local governments in the senatorial district.

Edo Central has been a PDP stronghold and a major challenge for the APC to penetrate. Okpebholo had defied the odds by winning the Senate seat in 2023 under the APC. However, he lost the zone to the PDP in the 2024 governorship election.

In the upcoming by-election, Hon. Joe Ikpea of the APC will face Prince Joe Okojie of the PDP in a fierce contest.

Despite APC’s control of key political structures in the district, PDP retains significant grassroots support, making the outcome unpredictable.

Okpebholo, however, has been confident that APC will win the by-election. Speaking at a party campaign, he said, “This is a test for 2027. I can tell you that 2027 is sure. Before then, there will be no opposition in Edo State anymore as all will join the APC because of the developmental achievements in the state.”

He also declared that his party would sweep the entire 51 wards across the five local government areas that make up the senatorial district. “Hon. Joseph Ikpea will take over from me in the Senate,” he affirmed.

The outcome of the Edo Central by-election is expected to reshape the political landscape of Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting however to the seeming relocation of the governor to his hometown, the Information and Communication commissioner, Ohombamu, told LEADERSHIP that while the election campaign is ongoing, governance is in full swing as the governor has been flagging off projects across the three senatorial districts.

He however said the by-election in Edo senatorial district is a done deal, adding that the opposition PDP only exists in name.

“You see the chances of APC are very bright. PDP only exists in name. Okpeholo has done a lot and that is why more people are decamping to the APC on a daily basis.

“The governor has endeared himself to the people. Recently, the only house of Representative member, Hon Marcus Onobun joined the APC.

“Politics and governance run pari-passu and there is no way you can separate the two. To answer your question, the governor is working,” he said.