EKPOMA, Edo State – In a stunning political twist ahead of the Edo Central Senatorial by-election, key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central have publicly declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joe Ikpea, abandoning their own party’s flagbearer, Prince Joe Okojie.
The endorsement, announced Thursday in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, has sent ripples through Edo’s political landscape. Senior PDP stakeholders accused the party of “gross marginalisation” and “a sham selection process” during its primaries.
Hon. Stephen Oriakhi, leader of the PDP in Edo Central, said the district’s leadership and grassroots members were sidelined during the primaries.
“The so-called primaries were nothing short of an imposition,” Oriakhi stated. “Stakeholders across all five LGAs, including youth and women groups, were ignored. Joe Ikpea is connected to the people and more popular across the district. That’s where our support will go.”
Oriakhi urged PDP leaders at the local government, ward, and unit levels to rally behind the APC candidate, framing the move as a fight to “restore dignity to Esanland.”
PDP State Treasurer Hon. Benjamin Ehilenboadiaye echoed the sentiment, describing the move as an act of resistance.
“This is not betrayal; it is resistance,” he said. “We are rejecting the imposition of an unpopular candidate. Our loyalty is to the people, not those undermining our will.”
Deacon Emmanuel Ayegbeni directly blamed former governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP’s 2024 governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for “hijacking” the party’s structure.
“The original PDP members have been abandoned for outsiders with no commitment to the party’s ideals,” Ayegbeni said. “Our stand is clear — we will deliver Joe Ikpea as the next senator for Edo Central.”
PDP State Youth Leader, Oreye Destiny Ehigiator, also pledged to mobilise grassroots support for Ikpea’s candidacy.
Political analysts say the high-profile defection of support from PDP leaders to the APC could dramatically shift the balance of power in the upcoming race, potentially paving the way for an easy victory for Joe Ikpea.
