Relatives of Senator Adams Oshiomhole and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Lucky Imasuen, were among those who emerged as chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the July 11, 2026 local government elections in Edo State.
The candidates, Romeo Omoike and Eriamatoe Christopher, emerged through the party’s direct primaries held on Friday, April 3, 2026, across the 18 local government areas and 192 wards in the state. Omoike secured the ticket for Etsako West Local Government, while Eriamatoe clinched the nomination for Ovia North-East Local Government.
Omoike is a younger brother to the mother of Adams Oshiomhole, a former two-term governor of Edo State who now represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, son of the senator, currently serves as Edo State Commissioner for Health.
Eriamatoe Christopher is reported to be a maternal cousin to Lucky Imasuen, who previously served as deputy governor under Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor and also as Chief of Staff to Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
Also emerging as a chairmanship candidate is Sunday Akiotu Ekpeson, a former Private Assistant to Jarret Tenebe. Ekpeson, who is the incumbent chairman of Etsako East Local Government, secured the party’s ticket again ahead of the polls.
The trio polled 2,960, 3,410 and 2,209 votes respectively to emerge as candidates.
Seven incumbent chairmen were returned as candidates, while 11 others failed to secure renomination. Those reelected include 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 who did not secure the party’s ticket include Alabi Bliss Oshionogue (Akoko-Edo), Marvellous Zibiri (Etsako West), Aruna Mohammed (Owan East), Edosa Enowaghomwenma (Ovia South West), Kelvin Iyere (Esan Central), 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 the announcement of results, Abdullahi Bello, an official from the APC National Secretariat who oversaw the exercise, commended party members for the peaceful and orderly conduct during the primaries. He noted that the process was largely rancour-free across all 192 wards and 18 local government areas, while wishing the candidates success in the forthcoming elections.
In his remarks, Jarret Tenebe advised the candidates to view their emergence as a responsibility to serve, urging them to work diligently to secure victory for the party across the state.
“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 established to address grievances arising from the primaries has already begun its work.
