Anthony Osarobo, 30, Clinches Ovia South West Chairmanship in Edo LG Poll

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Anthony Osarobo, a 30-year-old, has been declared the winner of the Ovia South West Local Government chairmanship election held on Saturday. Osarobo secured an overwhelming 98,994 votes across the ten wards of the council area.

The official declaration was made by Dr. Arodoye Nosakhare, the Returning Officer for the election, on Saturday at the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission's Local Government Collation Centre. Dr. Nosakhare confirmed Osarobo's victory over candidates from eleven other political parties, stating that the APC candidate garnered the highest number of valid votes, thus fulfilling the electoral guidelines for his return as elected. "After the collation of results across different party lines, the APC chairmanship candidate, having scored the majority of valid votes, is hereby returned elected," Dr. Nosakhare announced.

The final tally showed the APC dominating with 98,994 votes. Other parties recorded significantly lower figures: the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) with 28 votes, Action Alliance (AA) with 42 votes, African Action Congress (AAC) with 32 votes, Action Democratic Party (ADP) with 26 votes, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with 25 votes, Action People’s Party (APP) with 12 votes, and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) with 15 votes. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) each received a single vote.

An elated Osarobo, now one of the youngest individuals to be elected as Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government, expressed deep gratitude to the electorate for their massive support. He remarked, “I am happy to have emerged as the Chairman-elect of Ovia South West. I do not take this victory for granted because it was made possible by the support and confidence reposed in me by the people." He further pledged to "use this mandate to work tirelessly for the development and progress of Ovia South West.”

Commenting on the election's outcome, Professor Ikponmwonsa Omorodion, the Edo State Commissioner for Livestock Development, lauded the exercise as transparent. He commended the peaceful participation of the citizens and extended his congratulations to Osarobo, expressing confidence that the chairman-elect would deliver on his campaign promises and bring substantial development to the people of Ovia South West.

Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo also praised the impressive voter turnout during the election. Voting at his Ward 2 polling unit at Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, Governor Okpebholo described the participation as encouraging. He specifically highlighted the peaceful conduct of the exercise, crediting the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) for the timely arrival of electoral officials, materials, and security personnel. The Governor arrived at his polling unit around 10:24 a.m. and cast his vote at precisely 10:40 a.m. after queuing with other voters.

Interacting with voters, Governor Okpebholo noted that reports from across the state indicated a smooth and peaceful electoral process. He stated, “This election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field. The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments. By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election.” He appealed to residents to maintain peace throughout the voting period and await the official results from EDSIEC.

Accredited election observers also offered positive assessments of the poll's conduct. Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, informed journalists in Udomi that numerous observer groups deployed across the state reported no significant security breaches or disruptions during voting. He confirmed that his organization, along with others, monitored polling units in Udomi and Igueben, finding the process generally peaceful. Nwoke reiterated, “Reports coming in from different parts of the state indicate that the process has been peaceful so far. We have monitored Udomi, Igueben and other locations. We have observed that the exercise has been peaceful, orderly and smooth. Electoral officials arrived, voters have been able to cast their ballots and, at the end of the exercise, winners and losers will naturally emerge.”

Security personnel were visibly present at polling centers visited by journalists, where voters patiently queued. At Udomi Primary School, residents including Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya, and Lucky Okoawo expressed satisfaction with the election's conduct, describing it as orderly and transparent. They noted that the peaceful environment fostered greater voter participation and demonstrated residents' commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy. These voters also voiced support for Governor Okpebholo's administration, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and other development initiatives as inspirations for their participation.

The Saturday election encompassed all 18 local government areas of Edo State for the election of chairmen and councillors. Hon. Crosby Eribo, an APC chieftain in Egor Local Government Area, expressed optimism that the election would bolster grassroots governance and deepen democratic engagement. Speaking after casting his vote at Unit 20, Ward 6, in Egor, Eribo emphasized the poll's importance for consolidating democratic institutions at the grassroots. He urged political parties and their supporters to maintain peace, praised the orderly process, voter turnout, electoral officials, and security agencies for maintaining law and order. Eribo conveyed confidence in APC's victory, asserting that the party had earned public trust through consistent grassroots engagement and fulfilling promises. He said, “Our expectation is clear — we are confident of victory because the APC has remained close to the people and has fulfilled its promises.”

However, some residents presented a contrasting view regarding voter turnout. John Osaro, a resident, challenged the claim of high turnout across the entire state, noting that while some areas experienced significant participation, others saw low voter engagement. He commented, “I heard that the APC people are saying there is a high turnout, but it was not all over. There was low turnout in other places. However, it is good that we will have chairmen in the local governments who will be close to the people at the grassroots.”

At the time of this report, results from other local government areas were still being compiled and awaited.