ADC unveils 37 candidates in Edo, vows to capitalise on economic hardship ahead of 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled 37 candidates for the 2027 general election in Edo State, positioning itself for what party leaders described as a major push to take over government amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity across the country.

Among those who emerged during the party’s primary elections was former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who clinched the Edo South Senatorial District ticket through consensus.

Chairman of the primary election committee, Ebiowei Olomu, said the party’s objective was to provide an alternative platform capable of addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.

Speaking during the National and State House of Assembly primaries in Benin City, Olomu said Nigerians were grappling with rising inflation, insecurity and high living costs, stressing the need for opposition parties to remain united ahead of the 2027 polls.

Read also: ICPC denied our leaders access to El-Rufai – ADC 

“Our aim is to take over government in 2027, as we all can see the suffering Nigerians are going through, the insecurity and the high cost of living. Let us work together to achieve our objectives,” he said.

He also urged aggrieved aspirants to channel complaints through the ADC Primary Election Appeal Committee established by the party’s national leadership.

According to the committee, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 24 candidates for the Edo State House of Assembly emerged through the exercise.

For the senatorial districts, Iduoriyekemwen polled 23,174 votes to emerge Edo South candidate, while Herbarta Inemezele Okonufua secured the Edo Central ticket with 4,898 votes. In Edo North, Musa Jerry Braimo emerged candidate with 14,992 votes.

The party also produced candidates for the nine federal constituencies in the state through consensus arrangements.

In Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Ekundayo Ukponwan emerged with 5,595 votes, while Louis Ejedeavwe Ebodaghe secured the Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben ticket with 3,531 votes.

Others include Ighalo Paulson Odion for Esan North-East/Esan South-East, Bright Egharevba for Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde, Braimah Yakubu for Etsako Federal Constituency and Shedrach Idugbai for Owan Federal Constituency.

Also announced were Osazemen Ehigie Uzamere for Ovia Federal Constituency, Ateri Nelson Kayode for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency and Osamwonyi Williams Irowa for Oredo Federal Constituency.

Reacting after his emergence, Iduoriyekemwen expressed appreciation to the party leadership for giving him the platform to contest the Edo South senatorial seat, describing himself as a grassroots politician with extensive knowledge of the district.

“There is no politician in Edo South that knows the zone more than me. I am a grassroots politician,” he said.