Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has effectively relocated to his native Edo Central Senatorial District in a bid to secure victory for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the August 16, 2025, senatorial by-election.
The election will fill the seat he vacated upon becoming governor last year.
Sources at the Government House in Benin City confirmed that state-level administrative activities have slowed, as the governor and his political machinery concentrate on grassroots mobilisation in Edo Central.
The by-election is widely viewed as a referendum on Okpebholo’s political strength in his home zone, particularly after the 2024 governorship election in which the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured three of the five local governments in the district.
Despite the APC’s dominance in state structures, the PDP still commands strong grassroots loyalty, making the by-election highly competitive and unpredictable.
Historically a PDP stronghold, Edo Central has been difficult terrain for the APC. Though Okpebholo achieved an upset by winning the senatorial seat in 2023, he lost the region to the PDP during his gubernatorial bid.
Now, the APC is fielding Hon. Joe Ikpea, who will face off against the PDP’s Prince Joe Okojie in what is shaping up to be a fierce contest.
Confident of his party’s chances, Governor Okpebholo recently told supporters at a campaign rally, “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 further declared that the APC would win all 51 wards across the five local government areas that make up Edo Central. “Hon. Joseph Ikpea will take over from me in the Senate,” he affirmed.
The outcome of the by-election is expected to be a bellwether for the 2027 general elections, potentially reshaping Edo State’s political balance in the years to come.
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