Politics
Edo PDP unprepared for by-elections — APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State has said that the call by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDPD), for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in the state, Dr Anugbum Onuaha, ahead of the by-elections in the state was an indication that the PDP is not prepared for the elections.
The Edo APC further stated that the call by the Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, citing the “credibility and impartiality” of the INEC officials, was more on the fear of the “fatal defeats that await the PDP in the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency bye-elections on August 16, 2025.”
The Edo APC, in a statement endorsed by its State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, said that the PDP’s fear “is caused by the unprecedented achievements that His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, has recorded in just eight months.
“We will advise Aziegbemi and his half a dozen PDP members to brace up to accept the pain of the impending defeats that await.
“Governor Okpebholo’s achievements have led thousands of politicians out of the PDP, and, we have torn the umbrella into shreds and the reality is that, in this coming election and that of 2027, Edo people have made up their minds to vote massively for our party.
“As of today, no other political party exists in the state, except the APC. Governor Okpebholo’s achievements since his assumption have attracted many PDP members with good conscience to join us in our drive to give the state all-around development.
‘The APC administration at both federal and state levels has initiated lifesaving projects, and is still doing more to improve the standards of living. The long-abandoned roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures are receiving attention. There is also a marked improvement in security in our dear Edo State as a result of Governor Okpebholo’s re-engineering of the security architecture.
“On August 16, 2025, the APC is determined to prove to our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the 2.5 million votes Edo State people promised him is possible,” the APC stated.
The Edo PDP, it would be recalled, had on Tuesday called for the urgent redeployment of Onuaha and other electoral officers previously assigned to key local government areas, citing concerns over their credibility and impartiality.
Speaking at a press conference held at the state party secretariat, in Benin City on Tuesday, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said the party was fully prepared for the upcoming polls in the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, expressing confidence in its candidates, Prince Joe Okojie and Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi respectively.
While reaffirming the PDP’s grassroots strength and its belief in electoral victory, Aziegbemi raised alarm over the alleged compromised conduct of certain electoral officials during the last gubernatorial election in the state.
“We unequivocally demand the immediate redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, due to his ignoble role in the last governorship election. His actions undermined the credibility and integrity of that process, and we cannot permit such a tainted official to oversee the forthcoming bye-elections,” Aziegbemi had demanded.
He further called for the removal of the Electoral Officers who oversaw the controversial 2024 governorship election in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo local government areas, insisting their continued presence threatens public trust in the electoral process.
“Their involvement in the irregularities that marred the last governorship election makes their participation in these bye-elections unacceptable,” he added.
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