With the results of the rerun election for Edo State House of Assembly conducted on Saturday April 15, 2023, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has retaken control of the legislative arm of government.
Midwestherald.com.ng reports that the party won all three outstanding Constituencies – Egor, Oredo East and Ovia South West.
Destiny Oghayerio Enabulele was elected in Ovia South West Constituency, Natasha Irobosa Osawaru in Egor and Uyi Frank Omosigho won Oredo East Constituency.
With the conclusion of elections, the PDP now has 15 seats, All Progressives Congress (APC) 8, while the Labour Party LP is left with 1 seat.
The results of March 18 State House of Assembly elections in Edo State saw the PDP claiming 12 of the available 24 seats. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state declared results of Egor, Oredo East, and Ovia South West Constituencies inconclusive.
The outcome of the results may have finally shifted the balance of political dynamics in favour of the PDP for the first time in Edo State, since 2007.
It would be recall that in 2011, the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) won majority seats with 20 of the available seats and left the PDP with the remaining four seats.
Again, the election of April 11, 2015 saw APC winning 21 out of 24 seats. The PDP could only manage three seats.
Finally on March 9, 2019, the APC buried the PDP when it won all 24 seats in the assembly.
But the control of APC ended in 2023 as the party lost its dominance after the March 18 and April 15 elections. The PDP victory over its rival APC in Edo, is instructive, considering the four years crisis that followed the inauguration of some members-elect who refused to attend the inaugural sitting.
Part of the palaver then was allegation of plans by ex governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole to use 14 of the elected APC legislators to impeach Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Curiously, all the delinquent members elect, failed in their bid to reclaim their victory.
Edo State 10th Assembly will have PDP members for Egor, Oredo East, Ovia South West, Akoko Edo 1, Akoko Edo II, Esan Central, Esan North East II, Esan South East and Igueben. Ikpoba-Okha,Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon II, Ovia North East I, Ovia North East II, and Owan West will also be represented by the PDP.
The APC with eight seats will speak for the people of Esan North East I, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West I, Etsako West II, Owan East, and Orhionmwon I.
