By Vincent Ekpo
Herberta Okonofua, wife of former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, has emerged as the Edo Central Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress.
Also elected during the party’s primary election were former PDP chieftain and Director-General of the ADC’s 2024 governorship campaign in Edo State, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who emerged as candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, and Musa Braimoh, who clinched the Edo North ticket.
The exercise also produced candidates for the nine House of Representatives seats and the 24 seats in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Announcing the results at the party’s secretariat in Benin City, Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Ebionwei Olomu, said the process was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines and the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
According to him, the party adopted either direct primaries or consensus arrangements in selecting candidates.
“The peaceful nature of the exercise was a precursor to what should be expected from the ADC during the elections,” Olomu said.
Speaking after her emergence, Okonofua commended the leadership of the party for conducting a successful primary despite what she described as threats and uncertainty surrounding the political climate.
“The country is passing through some things that we all want our country to overcome, and ADC is here to reposition Nigeria,” she said.
On his part, Iduoriyekemwen said Edo South needed a unifying figure capable of bringing the Benin people together.
“Edo South is one of the foremost senatorial districts in Nigeria. The time for making excuses is over; this is the time for action. We need to come back together as one people and speak with one voice as the Benin Nation,” he said.
He added that divisions within the district had made unity imperative, insisting that he possessed the experience and grassroots connection needed to unite the people.
“I live here, I know my people and my people know me, so I stand in a position to bring everybody together,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Braimoh criticised the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, accusing him of relying on his past achievements as governor without delivering meaningful development across the six local government areas in the district.
© 2026, Standard Focus. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from STANDARD FOCUS.