Edo State has eighteen local government areas, with Edo South Senatorial District/Benin Kingdom having seven LGAs, followed by Edo North with six councils, while Edo Central/Esanland is the smallest, with five LGAs.
Edo South consists of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde LGAs.
Edo North is made up of Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Akoko-Edo, Owan West and Owan East LGAs.
Edo Central comprises Esan West, Esan Central, Esan Northeast, Esan Southeast and Igueben LGAs.
The representative of Edo Central senatorial district, Senator Monday Okpebholo, emerged winner of the keenly-contested September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo, and was inaugurated as the state’s helmsman on November 12, thereby seizing to represent the senatorial district.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will soon conduct by-elections in Edo Central and Ovia constituency of Edo in the House of Representatives, then being represented by the youthful Dennis Idahosa, now the state’s Deputy Governor.
With INEC’s timetable being awaited by the electorate, especially in Edo Central, prominent politicians have kick-started coded consultations on how they will win their political parties’ tickets, particularly the 18 parties that participated in the September 21 governorship poll.
On the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, one name that resonates on the lips of most residents of Esanland is Dr. Joseph Ikpea,
the Ewatto-born former Chairman of Esan Southeast local government council, who is an ex-Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas in Edo, as the people’s choice for the vacant Senate seat.
The philanthropy and care of Ikpea for the less privileged is legendary, while the astute businessman is a grassroots politician, who dwells among his people.
In criss-crossing the five LGAs that constitute Edo Central, the verdicts of the people on Ikpea’s political standing and why they are rooting for him to fill the coveted position of Senator representing Edo Central, are as follows:
Esan Central LGA:
In Esan Central Local Government Area, opinions among respondents, on the choice of Ikpea, are unanimous.
At the mention of the name of the astute politician and businessman, both the youths, women, men and elderly were quick to refer to his sterling performance, while in political office, as he was described as a man of the people.
A chieftain of APC in Esan Central LGA, Eugene Okoloise, said: “Joseph is the man for the job and to me, he is simply the best for the job. If you take a sample poll from among the people in Edo Central Senatorial District, 90 per cent of the people will tell you that they will go for Joseph.
“I know that Joe was not initially keen in running for the vacant senatorial seat. It was the people that came together to say, Joe, come and run for the seat, because we know you can do it.
“When the incumbent Edo Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was the representative of Edo Central, we knew the goal that he set. So, the people cannot allow a neophyte to occupy the position. We need someone who can win election for us.”
Igueben LGA:
An APC chieftain in Igueben LGA, Augustus Eriaria, while also speaking, described Ikpea as a very-dependable and reliable politician, who has always been in the service of his people and humanity.
He noted that Ikpea, as the chairman of Esan Southeast LG council, proved his mettle, and according to him, he did a lot of developmental projects and touched the lives of many residents.
Eriaria said: “Dr. Ikpea built schools, primary health centres, and also constructed roads within the limited and very meagre resources at his disposal, as the Chairman of Esan Southeast LG council.
“I can score him 85 to 90 per cent in his performances as a local government chairman and Edo commissioner.”
Esan West LGA:
Ikpea’s attachment to the grassroots and the unfettered accessibility to him have also been considered by the people.
A chieftain of APC from Esan West LGA, Michael Kuku, an engineer, described Ikpea as a grassroots politician, who always cared for his people.
Kuku said: “Hon. Ikpea has been on the ground, and knows what the people want. He is not an outsider. He is a man of few words, but full of actions.
“Hon. Ikpea is a man that is loved by all and hated by none. I can tell you that the leaders of the APC, from the national to the grassroots level, know his capability. They know that he has the ability to provide maximum representation at the Senate for Edo Central Senatorial District.”
Esan Northeast LGA:
Another chieftain of APC from Esan Northeast Local Government Area, Saturday Iyoha, while also speaking on the impact that Ikpea had on the people in his previous political offices, said: “He is a successful businessman and an experienced politician.
“Dr. Ikpea did well as a local government chairman. He is also a philanthropist. He is living a life that touches other people’s lives. He is a man that is accessible to everybody.”
Esan Southeast LGA:
A well-known leader of APC from Esan Southeast LGA of Edo, Elder Sam Eboigbe, also described Ikpea as the right person for the vacant senatorial seat.
Eboigbe recalled that the senatorial aspirant did very well as a council chairman and as Edo commissioner, while assuring that as one of the leaders of APC in Edo Central, he (Eboigbe) and other residents would support Ikpea.
The APC chieftain said: “He (Ikpea) did well as a local government chairman and commissioner. He is the right person for the seat. We shall support him.”
Ahead of the senatorial election, one name that keeps coming up on the lips of the residents of Edo Central district, as the right material for the coveted position, is Ikpea.
It is clear that the electorate in Esanland would root for Ikpea to represent Edo Central, in order to ensure quality and effective representation, so as to move the district forward.
