In an unprecedented political twist ahead of the Edo Central Senatorial By-election, key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region have publicly thrown their weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joe Ikpea abandoning their party’s flagbearer, Prince Joe Okojie.
The dramatic endorsement was made at a gathering in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, where influential PDP stakeholders denounced the party’s internal processes and accused the leadership of marginalisation and candidate imposition.
Honourable Stephen Oriakhi, a leading figure within the PDP in Edo Central, did not mince words. “The so-called primaries were a sham. Critical stakeholders including women and youth groups were completely sidelined,” he said. “Joe Ikpea of the APC is a man of the people. He has grassroots support and broad popularity. Our loyalty lies with the people of Esanland, not with a flawed process.”
The fallout appears to be a culmination of simmering internal tensions, with PDP members accusing former Governor Godwin Obaseki and the party’s 2024 governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, of hijacking the party structure and silencing long-time members.
“This is not betrayal it is resistance,” declared Honourable Benjamin Ehilenboadiaye, the PDP state treasurer and a former two-time senatorial chairman. “We are saying no to impunity. We are saying no to political imposition. And we are saying yes to the candidate who truly represents the will of the Esan people Joe Ikpea.”
Echoing similar frustration, Deacon Emmanuel Ayegbeni lamented what he described as the abandonment of “original PDP members” in favour of political outsiders. “They came in and pushed us aside. This is a matter of dignity and principle. We stand with Joe Ikpea.”
State PDP Youth Leader, Oreye Destiny Ehigiator, also backed the move, promising to mobilise young voters to deliver victory for the APC candidate in Saturday’s by-election.
The open defection of loyalty, rather than formal party membership, has sent shockwaves through Edo’s political establishment and is already reshaping the senatorial race. Analysts suggest that with this level of cross-party support, Joe Ikpea is now the clear frontrunner and may face little resistance at the polls.
With the by-election just around the corner, the PDP is reeling from a crisis of confidence in its own stronghold, while the APC capitalizes on unexpected momentum positioning Joe Ikpea as the likely next senator representing Edo Central.
