Blessing Agbebaku, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has been elected as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owan West Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election, marking a significant political shift in the state’s legislative landscape. His victory was decisive, as he secured 2,846 votes, far outpacing his closest rival, Mr. Atafo Gold, who received only 60 votes. Other aspirants, including Ohioma George with 31 votes and former Owan West Local Government Council Chairman Frank Ilaboya, who polled zero votes, were unable to challenge Agbebaku’s dominance.
Agbebaku’s win comes after his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in January 2025, a move that has reshaped the political dynamics within the Edo State Assembly. His deputy, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, was not as fortunate, losing the APC ticket for Orhionmwon Constituency I to Ndidi Aghimien, who won with 2,777 votes. Atu received only 9 votes, while Terry Igiebor and Nosakhare Eguagie scored 87 and 57 votes respectively.
Other notable APC candidates include Hon. Maria Edeko, former Deputy Speaker under the PDP, who won the ticket for Esan North-East II with 1,549 votes. The former Minority Leader, Hon. Eric Okaka, secured the Owan East Constituency ticket with 4,213 votes, defeating Hon. Kayode Jeffrey (46 votes) and Agbonkhan (47 votes). In Etsako Central, Hon. Ahmed Waziri Oshomah clinched the ticket with 3,304 votes, defeating several aspirants including Kenneth John (34 votes) and Hon. Emma Momoh (39 votes).
In Orhionmwon Constituency II, incumbent lawmaker Hon. Iyamu Bright was unseated by Odiase Etinosa Endurance. Victor Giwa emerged as the APC candidate for Esan South-East after defeating incumbent Hon. Sunday Ojiezele. Hon. Kaycee Osamwonyi retained his position as the APC candidate for Uhunmwode Constituency, while Hon. Edwin Osamuede won the Oredo East ticket over Hon. Frank Omosigho, who had also defected from the PDP in 2025.
Dr. Richard Edosa, the only member previously elected on the Labour Party platform, also defected to the APC in 2025 and was elected as the candidate for Oredo West. In Etsako East, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Imafidor defeated incumbent Hon. Kingsley Ugabi to secure the ticket. Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, Majority Leader of the House, and Hon. Abdulganiyu Akokhia were elected for Esan West and Etsako West II respectively.
Other elected candidates include Hon. Fada Eigbiremonlen for Esan Central, Hon. Andrew Uzamere for Ovia North-East II, and Hon. Donald Okogbe for Akoko-Edo II — all former PDP members. Ms. Jennifer Iyamu also clinched the Egor Constituency ticket. These developments underscore a major realignment within Edo State politics, with several former PDP lawmakers now vying under the APC banner as the state prepares for the 2027 elections.
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