It would have been easy to ignore the recent political developments in Edo State, especially the outcome of the just-concluded APC Edo South Senatorial District primary election, and remain focused on highlighting the developmental achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration. However, that is no longer possible, as the governor’s name has been unnecessarily dragged into the controversy surrounding the political misfortune of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The APC primary election produced a clear outcome. Former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, emerged victorious ahead of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the incumbent senator representing Edo South, Senator Neda Imasuen. According to the results, Ogbeide-Ihama polled 27,154 votes, Senator Imasuen secured 13,580 votes, while Pastor Ize-Iyamu came a distant third with 6,785 votes.
Despite the transparent outcome, supporters and loyalists of Pastor Ize-Iyamu have resorted to coordinated attacks against Governor Monday Okpebholo across social media platforms, attempting to portray the governor as responsible for the pastor’s defeat. This development is both unfair and unnecessary.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu must immediately call his supporters to order and caution them against the use of disrespectful and inflammatory language directed at the governor. Governor Okpebholo remains the first citizen of Edo State and the recognized leader of the APC in the state. The office he occupies deserves respect regardless of political disagreements.
The pastor cannot convincingly claim ignorance of these attacks because many of the statements being circulated clearly reflect sentiments from within his political camp. One cannot publicly profess loyalty and respect for the governor while simultaneously permitting media surrogates and supporters to launch sustained attacks against him.
Beyond the controversy, the APC primary election has revealed an important political reality in Edo South. The emergence of Rt. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama is widely viewed by party stakeholders as the choice that best represents the interests of both the party and the people of Edo South.
Ogbeide-Ihama is regarded by many within the APC as a politician capable of working harmoniously with the governor, strengthening the party structure, and contributing meaningfully toward the administration’s political objectives ahead of the 2027 general election. His supporters believe he possesses the legislative experience, political maturity, and grassroots acceptance necessary to consolidate APC’s position across the district.
Many stakeholders also see his victory as a reflection of the preference of voters across the Benin-speaking axis, which remains the dominant political bloc in Edo South. Reports indicate that party leaders, ward coordinators, youth groups, and grassroots mobilisers rallied strongly behind his candidacy, believing he stands the best chance of delivering victory for the APC in the general election.
For this reason, many party faithful insist that the APC National Working Committee should respect the outcome of the primary election and allow Ogbeide-Ihama to fly the party’s flag without interference.
The APC leadership in Abuja must avoid making decisions capable of destabilizing the party in Edo State. Edo politics has repeatedly shown that imposing unpopular candidates often leads to internal divisions and electoral setbacks.
Critics of Pastor Ize-Iyamu point to his electoral history as evidence that the party should tread carefully. He contested the 2016 Edo governorship election under the PDP and lost. He later returned as the APC governorship candidate in 2020 but again failed to secure victory against former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Within political circles, these repeated defeats are interpreted by some analysts as signs of weakening political influence and declining acceptance among key blocs in Edo politics. Many believe the APC leadership should pay attention to these realities instead of ignoring the message from party members and voters.
Past political disagreements have also contributed to lingering concerns within sections of the party. Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole had, on different occasions, openly questioned Ize-Iyamu’s political style and loyalty during periods of internal conflict. Those concerns still influence opinions among many APC stakeholders today.
There is also growing concern among party leaders that handing the Edo South senatorial ticket to Pastor Ize-Iyamu against the outcome of the primary election could create avoidable tensions within the APC and threaten the stability of the Okpebholo administration.
Some stakeholders fear such a move could encourage the emergence of parallel political structures capable of creating friction within the party and weakening governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
Supporters of Ogbeide-Ihama, however, argue that he represents stability, inclusiveness, and political balance. As a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, he is seen as a lawmaker with practical legislative experience and a deep understanding of constituency representation.
They further describe him as calm, strategic, and loyal to the broader interests of both the APC and the Okpebholo administration. His emergence, according to many grassroots supporters, provides the party with an opportunity to unite and move forward.
The APC National Working Committee now faces a critical choice: either respect the outcome of the primary election and stand with what many party stakeholders consider the popular mandate, or risk reopening internal divisions capable of weakening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
At this crucial moment, the APC must resist the temptation to gamble with Edo South.
