BREAKING: Oshiomhole Emerges APC Chairmanship Candidates
Cousins to Senator Adams Oshiomhole and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen were among the elected All Progressives Congress, APC, chairmanship candidates for the July 11, 2026, Local Government election in the State.
The cousins Romeo Omoike and Eriamatoe Christopher were elected candidates on Friday, April 3, 2026, respectively in a direct primary conducted by the party throughout the 18 local governments and the 192 wards across the state.
Omoike was elected candidate for Etsako West Local Government while Eriamatoe was elected for Ovia North-East Local Government.
Omoike, is the younger brother to Oshiomhole’s mother. Oshiomhole, the two-time governor of Edo State is the current senator representing Edo North Senatorial district in the National Assembly.
Recalls that Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, the son of Adams Oshiomhole is the Edo State Commissioner for Health.
Also, Eriamatoe Christopher, is reported to be a maternal cousin to Lucky Imasuen, who was the former Deputy Governor to Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor as well as the former Chief of Staff to Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
Also elected as a chairmanship candidate is Sunday Akiotu Ekpeson, a former Private Assistant to Jarret Tenebe, the State APC chairman.
Ekpeson, the incumbent chairman of Etsako East Local Government was reelected as the candidate for the local government election.
The trio polled 2,960, 3,410 and 2,209 votes respectively to emerge as candidates.
It was reports, that seven incumbent chairmen were reelected as candidates while 11 were not reelected.
Those reelected are Sino Eric Osawaru (Ikpoba Okha), Osaro Osa Eribo (Egor), Gabriel Iduseri (Oredo), Austin Imafidon (Uhunmwonde), Sunday Akiotu Ekpeson (Etsako East), Thompson Osagie (Orhionmwon) and Ebhodaghe Blessing (Esan West).
Those not reelected as candidates are Alabi Bliss Oshionogue (Akoko-Edo), Marvellous Zibiri (Etsako West), Aruna Mohammed (Owan East), Edosa Enowaghomwenma (Ovia South West), and Kelvin Iyere (Esan Central).
Others are Omoruyi Igbinake (Ovia North East), Moses Edoh (Esan South-East), Ezomo Ohimai (Owan West), Henshaw Ehimihe (Igueben), Mathew Osi Ojieabulu (Esan North-East) and Cephas Yakubu (Etsako Central).
Speaking after announcing the results, Abdullahi Bello, an official from the National Secretariat of APC that conducted the primary election commended the electorate for the peaceful, orderliness and maturity displayed during the exercise.
Bello, the Kogi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs said the primary election was rancour-free across the 192 wards and the 18 local governments, however, he wished the candidates victory in the election.
In his address, Jarret Tenebe, the Edo State chairman of APC, advised the elected candidates that the tickets are a call to duty.
Tenebe said they must work assiduously to ensure that victory at the polls remains an option across the 18 local governments and the 192 wards.
“The seamless and rancour-free conduct of this exercise is a testament and fervent reminder of our party’s commitments to democratic principles which have helped to reshape and deepen internal democratic culture and mutual cohesion and unity amongst our esteemed members.
“Our party is strategically positioned now to participate in the local government elections, having brought forward our best candidates”, he said.
He added that the appeal committee set up to address any complaints from the primary election has already commenced its work.
