By Kenneth Okunbor

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter has elected chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the forthcoming July 11, 2026 Local Government Elections in the State.

The candidates were elected through a direct primary conducted on Friday, April 3, 2026, throughout the 18 Local Governments and the 192 Wards.

The primary election was supervised by Hon. Abdullahi Bello, an official from the National Secretariat of the APC.

In his remarks, Hon Bello, the Kogi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs recommended the electorate for the peaceful, orderliness and maturity displayed during the exercise.

Bello, who said the primary election was rancour-free across the 192 wards and the 18 local governments, however, wished the candidates victory in the election.

In his address, the Edo State chairman of APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, 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.

At the end of the primary election, each returning officer for the 18 local government areas presented the results of the election and the winners.

In Etsako West Local Government, Romeo Imoike was declared the candidate with 2,209 votes, and Eriamatoe Christopher, emerged as the candidate with 3,410 votes for Ovia North-East Local Government.

Dame Vera Sadoh, emerged as the only female candidate for the election. She emerged as the candidate for Etsako Central Local Government with 2,164 votes.

Also elected candidates are Ernest Oyaole Aitalegbe (Owan East) with 2,209 votes, Sino Eric Osawsru (Ikpoba Okha) 4,931 votes, Osaro Osa Eribo (Egor), 4,349 votes, Enahoro Aikpokpo (Owan West) with 1,664 votes, Austin Imafidon (Uhunmwonde) 2,426 votes and Sunday Akiotu Ekpeson (Etsako East), 2,209 votes.

Others are Gabriel Iduseri (Oredo), 5,933 votes, Osarobo Anthony (Ovia South-West), 3,020 votes, Prince Abdullahi Momodu (Esan Central), 2,248 votes, Thompson Osagie (Orhionmwon), 2,661 votes, Tega Amiegbebhor (Esan South-East), 1,901 votes.

Prince Saturday Iyoha (Esan North-East) was also elected candidate with 2,117 votes, Azemegbe Endurance (Igueben), 1,665 votes, Robert Akande (Akoko-Edo), 1,486 votes while Ebhodaghe Blessing (Esan West) scored 2,138 votes.