Nigeria: Agbebaku wins APC primary for third term

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Blessing Agbebaku, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has secured a third term bid, winning the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary for Owan West constituency. However, his deputy, Osamwonyi Atu, lost his primary election for the Orhionmwon South constituency to Ikpomwonsa Aitusi 

The primary election, which was peaceful in several parts of the state, saw party members queuing behind their preferred aspirants. Other notable outcomes include:

Former Deputy Speaker Yekini Idiaye lost to Humprey Adewunmi, while Donald Okogbe from Akoko-Edo II won an overwhelming vote to return to the house.

Agbebaku’s victory comes after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in May 2025, citing Governor Monday Okpebholo’s constituency development initiatives as his reason for leaving the PDP