-Why the South Holds the Key To APC’s Continued Success In Edo Politics
Moses Moses,Jnr
The story of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is one of resilience, strategy, and hard-earned victories. The 2024 gubernatorial elections were a defining moment , a test of unity, political wisdom, and electoral arithmetic. With over 2.6 million registered voters, Edo once again proved that political success depends on understanding the numbers and respecting the people who hold them.
According to official data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), voter distribution across the three senatorial districts stands as follows:
• Edo South: 1,526,717 voters
• Edo North: 620,412 voters
• Edo Central: 443,474 voters
The figures reveal a compelling truth, Edo South alone has more voters than the North and Central combined. This demographic reality makes the South the most decisive zone in any governorship or presidential election in the state.
The APC went into the 2024 governorship primaries with an impressive lineup of aspirants from across the state:
Clem Agba, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Lucky Imasuen, Anamero Dekeri, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine, Col. David Imuse (rtd), Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Dr. Blessing Agbohmere, Dennis Idahosa, and Dr. Ernest Umakhihe.
In what many described as a keenly contested primary, Senator Monday Okpebholo, from Edo Central, emerged victorious. His eventual triumph in the general election, where he defeated the PDP candidate, demonstrated not only the APC’s renewed strength but also the value of party unity and strategic inclusiveness.
Despite Okpebholo’s Central roots, his success was largely built on a broad coalition of support, with the Edo South Senatorial District playing a pivotal role. The South’s massive voter population, coupled with its dense urban centers and politically active grassroots base, made it the cornerstone of APC’s victory.
However, while the South helped deliver the win, many within the party believe it has not been adequately reflected in leadership positions and decision-making structures since then. If not corrected, this imbalance could sow seeds of discontent and provide an opening for the opposition to exploit. It’s time to right the wrong, so to speak
For the APC to sustain its momentum and consolidate its hold on Edo politics, Edo South must be fully accommodated in the next phase of party building. This is not just about fairness , it’s about political logic.
The state party chairmanship should naturally rotate to the South, a move that would reflect balance, equity, and foresight. But beyond zoning, the chosen leader must be experienced, grassroots-oriented, and capable of uniting the party’s diverse blocs.
A Word of Caution and a Call to Action. Politics is a game of numbers , and in Edo, those numbers overwhelmingly favor the South. Any failure to recognize and strategically empower this region risks eroding APC’s hard-earned gains. The opposition, ever eager to reclaim lost ground, will seize any opportunity to woo the South through political concessions and symbolic gestures.
The APC must therefore act wisely , not reactively , by righting past wrongs and making inclusion its guiding principle.
Edo South remains the anchor of the state’s political balance and the ultimate determinant of electoral outcomes. For the APC to maintain its winning streak and deepen its roots, it must build with the South, not just campaign in the South.
The time has come to act with vision and fairness. The time to right the wrong is now.
Moses Moses,Jnr,writes from Benin,City,Edo State