2023 Senate elections in Edo
2019 Nigerian Senate elections in Edo State
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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All 3 Edo State seats in the Senate of Nigeria |
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Majority party
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Minority party
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| Party
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PDP
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APC
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| Last election
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2
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1
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| Seats before
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3
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0
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The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Edo State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Edo State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.
Background
In terms of the previous Senate elections, all three incumbent senators were re-elected: Clifford Ordia (PDP) held his seat with 53% of the vote in the Central district, Francis Alimikhena (APC) won with 59% in the North district, and Matthew Urhoghide was returned with 51% in the South district. These results were a showcase of Edo State's electoral competitiveness as the APC won slightly more House of Representatives seats than the PDP and a sizeable APC majority was elected to the House of Assembly but PDP nominee Atiku Abubakar narrowly carried the state in the presidential election. Over a year after the senatorial elections was the state's gubernatorial election where incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki (APC-turned-PDP) was re-elected under the banner of his new party.
Later in the term, Ordia and Urhoghide sided with Obaseki in the battle over control of the Edo PDP and took part in his faction's primaries for 2023. Alimikhena left the APC in May 2022 and joined the PDP, also siding with the Obaseki-aligned faction.
Overview
| Affiliation
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Party
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Total
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| PDP
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APC
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LP
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| Previous Election
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2
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1
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0
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3
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| Before Election
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3
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0
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0
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3
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| After Election
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0
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2
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1
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3
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Summary
This table is an excerpt from 2023 Nigerian Senate election § Edo State.
Edo Central
2023 Edo Central Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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The Edo Central Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Esan West, and Igueben; it largely corresponds with the Esan cultural area of Esanland. The incumbent Clifford Ordia (PDP), who was re-elected with 52.9% of the vote in 2019, is seeking re-election.
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
On the primary date, Monday Okpebholo was the sole candidate and was nominated unopposed.
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
In the year before the primaries, the Edo State PDP split between two factions: one group led by incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and his allies who joined the PDP with him in 2020 with a rival bloc led by the national PDP South-South Deputy National Vice-Chairman Dan Orbih and longtime party members. The dispute escalated in late 2021 when the Obaseki-aligned state PDP leadership attempted to suspend Orbih's membership and the two factions held separate party congresses. Despite a court order that recognised the Orbih faction a few days before the primary date, both factions held separate primaries with longtime party members mainly winning the Orbih factional primaries and recent defectors mainly winning the Obaseki factional primaries.
In the Orbih-aligned factional primary, former Minister of Works Mike Onolememen emerged victorious over former MHR Friday Obomezele Itulah by a large margin. In the Obaseki-aligned factional primary, Ordia also defeated Itulah in a landslide. In INEC's final list of nominees in September, the Orbih faction's nominees were recognized due to the previous court order; however, Federal High Court promptly ordered the recognition of the Obaseki faction's nominees before the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Orbih's faction. However, it was not until 2 February 2023 that the apex court definitively ruled on the matter, again siding with the Obaseki faction.
Orbih-aligned primary results
Campaign
By the start of the official campaign period in October, Okpebholo supporters began to use the PDP crisis to campaign with claims that the ongoing litigation could deprive the district of representation if the PDP won the seat but litigation continued.
General election
Results
Edo North
2023 Edo North Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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The Edo North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Akoko Edo, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, Owan East, and Owan West. The incumbent Francis Alimikhena (PDP) was re-elected with 59.0% of the vote in 2019 as a member of the APC; he initially sought renomination in the APC before withdrawing from the primary and defecting to win the PDP nomination in June 2022.
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
About two months before the primary date, Alimikhena declared for re-election but former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole also announced that he would run for the seat; however, Oshiomhole also declared his campaign for president around the same time. Despite calls from pro-Alimikhena groups for Oshiomhole to continue his presidential campaign, he dropped the presidential campaign in mid-May causing Alimikhena to withdraw from the senatorial primary and leave the APC. At the primary in Auchi, Oshiomhole won easily and said afterwards that he "will ensure that the voice of Edo North will be loud and clear" in the Senate and called on Alimikhena to accept the primary.
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
In the year before the primaries, the Edo State PDP split between two factions: one group led by incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and his allies who joined the PDP with him in 2020 with a rival bloc led by the national PDP South-South Deputy National Vice-Chairman Dan Orbih and longtime party members. The dispute escalated in late 2021 when the Obaseki-aligned state PDP leadership attempted to suspend Orbih's membership and the two factions held separate party congresses. Despite a court order that recognised the Orbih faction a few days before the primary date, both factions held separate primaries with longtime party members mainly winning the Orbih factional primaries and recent defectors mainly winning the Obaseki factional primaries.
In the Orbih-aligned factional primary, Pascal Ugbome—a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly—defeated runner-up Tony Ezekiel by a 47% margin. In the original Obaseki-aligned factional primary, Victoria Edelokun defeated Ugbome by an even greater margin but she withdrew from the nomination a few days later. The Obaseki factional PDP leadership called a new primary for 4 June in Auchi which the newly defected Alimikhena won by a 94% margin. Afterwards, Ugbome protested to the media and repeated his claim to be the legitimate PDP nominee. In INEC's final list of nominees in September, the Orbih faction's nominees were recognized due to the previous court order; however, Federal High Court promptly ordered the recognition of the Obaseki faction's nominees before the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Orbih's faction. However, it was not until 2 February 2023 that the apex court definitivelu ruled on the matter, again siding with the Obaseki faction.
Orbih-aligned primary results
Original Obaseki-aligned primary results
Campaign
In a January 2023 campaign analysis piece, reporters from The Punch labeled Oshiomhole as the frontrunner due to his longtime electoral influence in the region. However, the report also noted Alimikhena's incumbency advantage along with how the rise of Peter Obi's presidential candidacy could boost Anselm Eragbe—the LP senatorial nominee. In the week before the election, the Daily Post noted that despite Oshiomhole and APC strength in the district, both the LP and PDP were genuine electoral threats (especially amid the naira scarcity crisis).
General election
Results
Edo South
2023 Edo South Senatorial District election
| ← 2019 |
25 February 2023 |
2027 → |
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The Edo South Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, and Uhunmwonde. The incumbent Matthew Urhoghide (PDP), who was re-elected with 51.0% of the vote in 2019, sought re-election but was defeated in the PDP primary.
Primary elections
All Progressives Congress
On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May.
The primary, which was held in a sports hall at the University of Benin in Benin City, resulted in Valentine Asuen's nomination. Asuen—a businessman, former APC official, and Oredo local government councilor—defeated former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen.
People's Democratic Party
On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; challenges to the result could be made on 25 May.
In the year before the primaries, the Edo State PDP split between two factions: one group led by incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and his allies who joined the PDP with him in 2020 with a rival bloc led by the national PDP South-South Deputy National Vice-Chairman Dan Orbih and longtime party members. The dispute escalated in late 2021 when the Obaseki-aligned state PDP leadership attempted to suspend Orbih's membership and the two factions held separate party congresses. Despite a court order that recognised the Orbih faction a few days before the primary date, both factions held separate primaries with longtime party members mainly winning the Orbih factional primaries and recent defectors mainly winning the Obaseki factional primaries.
In the Orbih-aligned factional primary, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama—member of the House of Representatives for Oredo—was nominated unanimously but the primary was marred by three events: the shooting of an Orbih-aligned PDP ward chairman, an attack on the primary venue by allegedly Obaseki-supporting thugs, and the arrest of four journalists by police for covering an "illegal" primary. In the Obaseki-aligned factional primary at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, incumbent Urhoghide was defeated by Matthew Iduoriyekemwen—former member of the Edo State House of Assembly—in a narrow race; Urhoghide promptly walked out of the venue. In INEC's final list of nominees in September, the Orbih faction's nominees were recognized due to the previous court order; however, Federal High Court promptly ordered the recognition of the Obaseki faction's nominees before the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Orbih's faction. However, it was not until 2 February 2023 that the apex court definitivelu ruled on the matter, again siding with the Obaseki faction.
Orbih-aligned primary results
PDP Orbih-aligned primary results
| Party
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Candidate
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Votes
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%
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PDP
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Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama
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177
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100.00%
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PDP
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Other candidates
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0
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0.00%
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| Total votes
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177
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100.00%
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| Invalid or blank votes
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1
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N/A
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| Turnout
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178
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72.65%
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General election
Results
See also
Notes
- This senator was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP during their term.
- Senator defected to new party after withdrawing from or losing their former party's primary.
References
- Egbejule, Michael. "Senator urges support for Obaseki". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- "Edo Senator Quits APC Over 'Injustice' In Primary Election". Channels TV. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ Onoiribholo, Francis (28 May 2022). "2023: Edo APC Senatorial Primary Election Results". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ Adenekan, Samson. "Download: Full List of 2023 Presidential, Vice Presidential, NASS candidates". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
- ^ Osauzo, Tony; Lucky, Ighomuaye (23 May 2022). "Edo: 4 reporters arrested as PDP holds parallel Senate primaries". The Sun. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- Bello, Usman A. (28 May 2022). "APC Primaries: Oshiomole Wins Edo North Senatorial Ticket". Daily Trust. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "2023: Entrepreneur defeats ex-deputy governor in Edo APC senatorial primary". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- Gabriel, John (4 June 2022). "Alimikhena wins PDP senatorial ticket for Edo North, faces APC's Oshiomhole". Daily Post. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- Bello, Usman (23 May 2022). "Drama As Senator Who Lost Reelection Ticket Storms Out Of Primaries Venue". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ Odunsi, Wale. "2023: APC extends sale of forms, fixes dates to elect delegates". Daily Post. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
- ^ Nseyen, Nsikak. "2023: APC fixes new date for governorship primaries, others". Daily Post. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ Majeed, Bakare (20 April 2022). "UPDATED: 2023: APC fixes presidential forms for N100 million, adopts indirect primaries". Premium Times. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Angbulu, Stephen; Ayeni, Victor; Dada, Peter; Naku, Dennis; Ede, Raphael (21 April 2022). "Presidential primary: APC silent on zoning, Nigerians condemn N100m nomination fee". The Punch. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ APC Nigeria (11 May 2022). "NEW DATES" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ APC Nigeria (18 May 2022). "ADJUSTED TIMETABLE" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- Onoiribholo, Francis. "2023: Edo APC Senatorial Primary Election Results". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ Angbulu, Stephen (21 April 2022). "2023: PDP extends sale of forms for fourth time". The Punch. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Yakubu, Dirisu (16 March 2022). "[BREAKING] 2023: PDP Presidential primary holds in May". Vanguard. Abuja. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ Akpan, Samuel (17 March 2022). "2023: PDP releases pre-election schedule, fixes presidential primary poll for May 28". TheCable. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ Official PDP Nigeria (5 May 2022). "2023 General Elections: @OfficialPDPNig updated Time Table and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general elections. See below" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- Adedipe, Adeyinka. "After hard-won victory, old members, defectors in bitter battle for the soul of Edo PDP". The Punch. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- Okocha, Chuks. "Edo PDP: Setback for Obaseki's Camp as Court Recognises Orbih's Allies". ThisDay. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- "Obaseki, Orbih factions hold parallel primaries in Edo". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ Osauzo, Tony; Lucky, Ighomuaye. "Edo: 4 reporters arrested as PDP holds parallel Senate primaries". The Sun. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ Adedipe, Adeyinka. "Obaseki loses, INEC recognises Orbih's Edo PDP faction". The Punch. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Aliu, Ozioruva. "Edo PDP: Court orders INEC to publish names in Obaseki's faction". Vanguard. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Nnochiri, Ikechukwu. "Edo: Obaseki wins as Supreme Court dismisses appeal by Orbih's faction". Vanguard. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ^ Odunsi, Wale. "Edo primaries: Obaseki-led PDP faction wins at Supreme Court". Daily Post. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- "Edo PDP Crisis: Esan Voters Urged To Support APC Senatorial Candidate Candidate". Leadership. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- Adedipe, Adeyinka. "2023: Alimikhena declares third term senatorial bid". The Punch. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- "2023: Oshiomhole declares for Senate". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- Majeed, Bakare. "2023: Oshiomhole joins presidential race". Premium Times. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- Adedipe, Adeyinka. "2023: Seek presidency not senatorial seat, group tells Oshiomhole". The Punch. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- Gabriel, Emameh. "Oshiomhole Drops Presidential Ambition, Shifts Focus to Senate". ThisDay. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- Aliu, Ozioruva. "Alimikhena quits senatorial race for Oshiomhole, dumps APC". Vanguard. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- "2023: Oshiomhole wins Edo North APC senatorial ticket". Premium Times. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Bello, Usman A. "APC Primaries: Oshiomole Wins Edo North Senatorial Ticket". Daily Trust. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ Adedipe, Adeyinka. "After hard-won victory, old members, defectors in bitter battle for the soul of Edo PDP". The Punch. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ Okocha, Chuks. "Edo PDP: Setback for Obaseki's Camp as Court Recognises Orbih's Allies". ThisDay. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Obaseki, Orbih factions hold parallel primaries in Edo". Peoples Gazette. News Agency of Nigeria. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- "PDP conducts emergency primary election for Edo North Senatorial zone". Nigerian Observer. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ Adedipe, Adeyinka. "Candidate kicks as Edo PDP holds fresh senatorial primary". The Punch. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- Adedipe, Adeyinka. "Oshiomhole, Alimikhena, others slug it out in Edo senatorial battle". The Punch. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- Seye, Abdul. "Senate Race: 28 serving, ex-governors in race to 10th Senate". Daily Post. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- "IPOB's Sit-At-Home Forces PDP To Shift Primaries In South East". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- Oyeleke, Sodiq. "2023: Again, PDP adjusts dates for primaries". The Punch. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- Olaniyi, Bisi; Aiwerie, Okungbowa. "Party chairman shot, journalists arrested in Edo". The Nation. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- Bello, Usman. "Drama As Senator Who Lost Reelection Ticket Storms Out Of Primaries Venue". Daily Trust. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
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