Labour Party (LP) in Edo State has chosen Hon Paul Okojie as its candidate for the forthcoming by-election to fill the vacant Edo Central Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly. Okojie emerged through a voice vote affirmation by delegates during the party’s primary ahead of the poll scheduled for next month.
The Edo Central senatorial seat became vacant after Monday Okpebholo, the former occupant, vacated the position upon his swearing-in as the current Governor of Edo State. The by-election is expected to be keenly contested, especially among the major political parties—the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party.
Speaking shortly after his emergence, Paul Okojie expressed confidence that he would win the by-election and defeat candidates of the APC and PDP. He stated that the people of Edo Central are in dire need of a vibrant representative who will actively speak for them in the Senate.
Okojie said, “I am expecting victory at the polls. We will go to the grassroots and talk to them. The people will decide who will be the next Senator in Edo Central.” He promised that his first task as a senator would be to change the narrative of the senatorial district, which he said has lacked an effective voice in the Senate.
According to Okojie, “There has been no voice. We have had people represent us at the Senate, and they have been practically speechless. We need someone who should be able to stand up and speak for the people of Edo Central because we are known for standing up to make our demands.”
He added that the area suffers from neglect in terms of federal presence, infrastructure, and attention. Okojie said he feels equipped and capable of taking up that responsibility if given the mandate by the people. “For some years now, you rarely hear a voice from Edo Central speaking in the Senate. There is no federal presence there and somebody needs to take that responsibility. I feel I am the one who has the capacity to do that,” he said.
Okojie, while dismissing the strength of the APC and PDP candidates, said he does not consider them as threats to his ambition. He emphasised that he draws his confidence not from political godfathers but from the support of the people at the grassroots.
“I do not see the APC or PDP as formidable. The only thing we know is that the best candidate should be the one to go. I am serious about defeating them. I have my people and they are with me. As far as my people are with me, I am not rattled. I don’t have any godfather but I have the people backing me,” he said.
Okojie also stated that Edo Central deserves a senator who will not just occupy the seat but will vigorously pursue the interest of the people, ensure equitable development, and lobby for federal projects that will improve the quality of life in the area.
The by-election for the Edo Central senatorial seat is expected to be closely monitored by political observers, especially as it presents a fresh opportunity for Labour Party to gain ground in Edo politics following the party’s impressive showing in the 2023 general elections in various states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to announce the final list of candidates and the detailed timetable for the by-election. However, political parties have begun preparations to field their best candidates in what promises to be a competitive race.
