Recent political events in Edo State, especially the APC Edo South Senatorial District primary election where Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama emerged victorious ahead of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Senator Neda Imasuen, may have been ignored in favour of highlighting the developmental achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
However, that has become difficult following attempts by supporters and allies of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to drag the governor into the controversy surrounding the outcome of the primary election through attacks on social media.
It is important to acknowledge that Pastor Ize-Iyamu appealed to his supporters to avoid insulting the governor, stressing that Governor Okpebholo, as the number one citizen of Edo State, deserves respect and dignity.
Nonetheless, critics argue that many of the online attacks reflect sentiments from within Ize-Iyamu’s political camp. They insist that it is contradictory to publicly recognise the governor as leader of the APC in Edo State while allowing sustained criticism against him from loyalists.
The APC primary election for Edo South Senatorial District has now concluded, with former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, defeating incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen and former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to secure the party’s ticket for the 2027 senatorial election.
Ogbeide-Ihama reportedly secured 27,154 votes, while Imasuen polled 13,580 votes. Pastor Ize-Iyamu came third with 6,785 votes.
Supporters of Ogbeide-Ihama describe him as a politician capable of effectively representing Edo South while maintaining a smooth working relationship with both Governor Okpebholo and the APC leadership.
Several party stakeholders reportedly believe his candidacy offers the APC a stronger opportunity to consolidate its structure in Edo South ahead of the 2027 general election and contribute to the party’s broader electoral ambitions in support of President Bola Tinubu.
His victory has also been interpreted by supporters as a reflection of widespread acceptance among voters in the Benin-speaking axis, regarded as the dominant ethnic bloc within Edo South. Party leaders across the district are said to have united behind his candidacy during the primary process.
Consequently, many APC members are urging the party’s National Working Committee to uphold the outcome of the primary election and allow Ogbeide-Ihama to represent the party in the forthcoming polls.
Observers note that Edo politics has witnessed recurring patterns that APC leaders at the national level may need to carefully evaluate before taking decisions capable of generating fresh political tensions.
Critics of Ize-Iyamu point to his previous electoral defeats, noting that he contested the Edo governorship election under the PDP in 2016 and lost before returning as the APC candidate in 2020, where he was again defeated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Some analysts within the party believe these outcomes suggest weakening political alliances and changing voter sentiments within Edo politics.
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole had also, during earlier political disagreements, publicly questioned Ize-Iyamu’s loyalty and political methods, criticisms that still influence opinions among some party members.
There are also fears among certain APC stakeholders that handing the Edo South senatorial ticket to Ize-Iyamu could deepen internal divisions within the party and create friction capable of affecting the stability of the Okpebholo administration.
Supporters of Ogbeide-Ihama, however, maintain that his legislative experience, grassroots acceptance, and calm political approach make him better suited to strengthen the APC in Edo South.
A former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Ogbeide-Ihama is regarded by allies as an experienced legislator with a strong understanding of constituency development and legislative engagement.
They further describe him as loyal to both the party and Governor Okpebholo’s administration, adding that many ward leaders, women groups, youth coordinators, and grassroots mobilisers within the APC support his emergence.
The APC National Working Committee is now faced with the decision of either affirming the primary election result and backing what supporters describe as the popular choice or reopening internal disputes that could further divide the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ebojele serves as the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.