PDP Screens Edo By-Election Aspirants, Disowns ‘Fake’ Caretaker Committee
🗓️ 16 July 2025
🖋️ Byline: IDNN Political Desk
Benin City, Nigeria – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has officially screened aspirants for the upcoming Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections, while issuing a stern warning to members and the public to disregard individuals it described as “fake caretaker committee members” posing as party officials in the state.
The by-elections, scheduled for August 16, 2025, will fill two National Assembly seats declared vacant by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking at the screening exercise held at the party’s secretariat on Aiguobasimwin Street, GRA, Benin City, Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the authentic Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, reaffirmed that the national headquarters in Abuja remains the only body constitutionally empowered to organise primaries and congresses.
“The PDP national headquarters has sent a five-man screening team to Edo State. That alone shows which secretariat is authentic. This is the legally recognized PDP structure in Edo,” Aziegbemi declared.
He urged aspirants and party members to ignore what he called “theatrics” from unauthorized individuals claiming to represent the party.
Screened Aspirants and Committee Composition
The PDP screening panel was led by Prof. Okumoko Tubo Pearce as Chairman, with Arc Chinomso Odoemelan as Secretary. Other members included Inemo Dede, Evelyn Promise, and David Omare.
For the Edo Central Senatorial seat, four aspirants were screened:
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John Yakubu
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Friday Itulah
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Joseph Okojie
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Festus Edogun
For the Ovia Federal Constituency, Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi was screened as the sole aspirant.
Speaking after the exercise, the aspirants praised the transparency of the process and expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances.
“I know my people and they know me. I am the rallying point in Edo Central, and I’m confident of victory,” said Festus Edogun.
“Edo Central has always been a PDP stronghold. We will reclaim it. The APC government has failed the people,” added Friday Itulah.
Joseph Okojie and John Yakubu echoed similar sentiments, hailing the screening panel for being “professional and thorough.”
Aikpitanyi, contesting in Ovia, said the PDP was ready to reclaim the constituency.
“With the support of my people, we’ll make Ovia shine again,” he said.
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Party Unity or Posturing?
The PDP’s internal cohesion in Edo has faced questions in recent months, with rival factions and caretaker claims muddying the party’s local structure. Tuesday’s exercise appears to have been a move by the national leadership to consolidate control ahead of the crucial by-elections.
Observers say the primaries will test the party’s ability to organize itself ahead of 2027, especially after mixed performances in 2023.
INEC is expected to release the final list of candidates in early August.
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