The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has successfully screened and cleared aspirants for its July 21st, 2025 party primaries ahead of the August 16, 2025 National Assembly by-elections for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency.
Those cleared for the Edo Central Senatorial ticket include John Yakubu, Friday Itulah, and Joe Okojie.
For the Ovia Federal Constituency seat, only one aspirant, Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi, was screened and cleared as the party’s sole candidate.
Festus Edogun was however not cleared by party to contest for the Edo Central Senatorial District ticket.
The aspirants were screened on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the state party secretariat located at No. 20 Aiguobasimwin Street, GRA, Benin City, by a five-man panel appointed by the PDP National Working Committee(NWC).
The committee is chaired by Prof. Okumoko Tubo Pearce, with Arc. Chinomso Odoemelan as Secretary. Other members include Inemo Dede, Evelyn Promise, and David Omare. Members of the committee presented the certificates of clearance to the aspirants on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi, after receiving his clearance certificate, commended members of the Committee for their professionalism, diligence and fairness in the discharge of their duties.
He noted, “I want to sincerely thank members of the Screening Committee for their professionalism, fairness, and diligence in discharging their duties. With this clearance, we are set for the task ahead. I’m fully prepared to carry the PDP flag in Ovia, and with the overwhelming support of our people, we will secure victory and ensure the delivery of quality, purposeful representation to our constituents.”
He restated, “I am confident to win. Together, with the support of my people, we will make Ovia shine again, and shine even brighter. We will focus on grassroots development and Ovia the envy of all.”
In a related development, the Party has constituted LGA Congresses Appeal Panels to address grievances arising from the conduct of Local Government Congresses held to elect national delegates.
The National Organizing Secretary of the Party, Hon. Umar M. Bature, in two separate letters dated Thursday, July 17, 2025, announced the composition of the appeal panels for both the Edo Central Senatorial District and the Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency.
The panels, appointed by the party’s National Working Committee, are tasked with considering appeals emanating from the congresses held to elect one national delegate per local government area (LGA) in the affected constituencies.
The panel members, consistent across both assignments, include: Hon. Hilary Ukwute, as Chairman, Bakumo Victor Ebimami, as nember, and Onome Joy Whonana, as Secretary
The Edo Central panel will handle appeals from the conduct of congresses in LGAs under the Edo Central Senatorial District, while the second panel will oversee appeals for LGAs under the Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency.
Both exercises are scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the PDP State Party Secretariat in Benin City.
Hon. Bature urged all party stakeholders to accord the panelists the necessary support and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of the exercise to the integrity of the party’s democratic process.
“These panels are critical to ensuring a credible and transparent delegate selection process as we prepare for the bye-elections,” he stated, adding that the party appreciates the continued support of members across the state.
The formation of these panels reflects the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy and fair participation as it intensifies preparations for the Edo bye-elections.
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