Ex-Edo Assembly Majority Leader, 36 others emerge as ADC candidates

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Ex-Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and 36 others emerged yesterday as candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo for the 2027 general elections.

Chairman of the State Primary Election Committee, Ebiowei Olumu, announcing the results, said Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen emerged as the Edo South Senatorial District candidate by consensus, polling 23,174 votes, while Mrs Herbarta Inemezele Okonufua also emerged as the consensus candidate for Edo Central Senatorial District, polling 4,898 votes.

Similarly, Prince Musa Jerry Braimo emerged as candidate for Edo North after polling 14,992 votes.

Also, candidates for the nine House of Representatives seats emerged through consensus. In Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Ekundayo Ukponwan emerged with 5,595 votes, while Louis Ejedeavwe Ebodaghe emerged for Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency with 3,531 votes.

Others are Ighalo Paulson Odion for Esan North-East/Esan South-East with 1,339 votes, and Bright Egharevba for Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency with 5,114 votes. In Etsako Federal Constituency, Braimah Yakubu emerged with 10,228 votes, while Shedrach Idugbai emerged in Owan Federal Constituency with 961 votes.

Also, Osazemen Ehigie Uzamere polled 1,926 votes to emerge as the ADC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, while Ateri Nelson Kayode emerged as candidate for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency with 3,312 votes, and Osamwonyi Williams Irowa for Oredo Federal Constituency with 2,010 votes.

Speaking during the National and State House of Assembly primary election, Olumu said the aim of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was to take over government in 2027. He decried the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by insecurity and high inflation, among other challenges, and urged members of the opposition party to ensure they remained united to achieve their objectives.

He also urged anybody aggrieved by the primary election to approach the ADC Primary Election Appeal Committee.

Olumu explained that three candidates emerged as senatorial candidates, nine for the House of Representatives and 24 for the Edo State House of Assembly.

“Our aim is to take over government in 2027, as we all can see the suffering Nigerians are going through, the insecurity, the high cost of living. Please, let us work together to be able to achieve our objectives. We appeal to anybody aggrieved by the conduct of the primary election to appeal to the committee set up by the national,” Olumu added.

In his comment shortly after he emerged, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen said he was happy that the party had offered him the platform to contest the 2027 senatorial election, saying that there was no politician in Edo South Senatorial District who understood the zone better than he did.

“I am happy that ADC has given me the opportunity to be its candidate for the 2027 Senatorial election. There is no politician in Edo South that knows the zone more than me. I am a grassroots politician,” he said.