Okpebholo, Ize-Iyamu and why APC must resist gambling with Edo South

The recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Edo South Senatorial District has concluded, with Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama securing a decisive victory. He garnered 27,154 votes, surpassing incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen (13,580 votes) and former governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (6,785 votes). This outcome positions Ogbeide-Ihama as the party's flagbearer for the 2027 senatorial election.

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His Excellency remains the first citizen of the State and deserves all the respect due to his office.

Despite the clear results, there have been reports of supporters of Ize-Iyamu engaging in social media attacks against Governor Monday Okpebholo. The article stresses the importance of respecting the governor's office and calls on Ize-Iyamu to caution his camp against such uncouth language, emphasizing that coordinated media attacks undermine the party's unity and the governor's leadership within the state.

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Ogbeide-Ihama reportedly polled 27,154 votes to emerge victorious, while Senator Imasuen secured 13,580 votes to place second. Ize-Iyamu came third with 6,785 votes.

Many party stakeholders view Ogbeide-Ihama as a capable leader who can foster a productive relationship with the governor and party leadership, thereby strengthening the APC's structure in Edo South. His victory is seen by supporters as a reflection of popular choice within the dominant Benin-speaking bloc, crucial for achieving Governor Okpebholo's pledge of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

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Many party stakeholders believe he represents the type of leadership capable of strengthening the APC’s structure in Edo South ahead of the 2027 general election and helping to actualise the 2.5 million votes Governor Okpebholo has pledged for President Bola Tinubu.

The article urges the APC National Working Committee to uphold the integrity of the primary election process and endorse Ogbeide-Ihama's candidacy. It warns against repeating past political patterns that could prove costly, suggesting that a failure to respect the democratic outcome of the primaries could jeopardize the party's prospects in Edo State.

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For this reason, many party faithful believe the APC National Working Committee should respect the outcome of the primary and allow Ogbeide-Ihama to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming election.