A former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, on Wednesday joined the race for the Edo South Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogbeide-Ihama, during his declaration at Ward II in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, said his eight years of legislative experience make him the strongest contender for the seat.
He told party supporters and stakeholders that the 2027 senatorial contest would require competence, capacity, and proven grassroots appeal rather than mere political sentiments.
The former federal lawmaker said he was stepping into the race because Edo South needed tested leadership at a time when national politics demanded strong legislative representation.
“If you talk about experience, I am the most experienced among all of us. I spent eight good years in the House of Representatives in the National Assembly.
“The rules and the business of both chambers are the same. So, I’m the longest-serving member among those who have been in the National Assembly,” he said.
According to him, the Senate is too important for the senatorial district to hand over to a political newcomer, insisting that legislative experience remains a major advantage in lawmaking and constituency development.
“We cannot send a newcomer there. We cannot survive there.
“The politics there is different. Experience counts. There must be competence, capacity, and the ability to win elections,” he said.
Ogbeide-Ihama said that beyond experience, he had already demonstrated his capacity to attract projects and win elections under difficult circumstances.
“I have attracted federal presence to that constituency across the board. The evidence is there.
“This whole process is about winning elections. I have shown that I can win elections. I won even from the opposition. Back to back, I won all 12 wards,” he said.
The APC aspirant added that his strong connection with the grassroots made him a natural choice for the ticket, describing himself as both experienced and representative of the younger generation seeking leadership opportunities.
“I represent a generation yearning for leadership, and I believe it is our time. I am the most experienced, but let me tell you, na me young pass because it is our time,” he said.
Responding to claims that he was an outsider in the APC, Ogbeide-Ihama dismissed the insinuation, maintaining that he was a committed and recognised member of the party.
“I don’t know what stranger means. I’m a full-fledged APC member,” he said.
On insinuations that external political forces were driving his ambition, he said support in politics could come from anywhere and should not be treated as a crime.
“Is there anybody who contests an election without going to the people? If help comes from anywhere, we take all the help.
“My helper can be in the South, in the North, or in America. We take all the help,” he said.
He urged APC members across Edo South to reject divisive politics and focus on presenting the best candidate for the general election.
The former lawmaker stressed that the senatorial seat belongs to all seven local government areas in the district.
“One senator, seven local governments. I am not going to be senator for one local government. I will be senator for all seven local governments,” he said.
Ogbeide-Ihama expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 general elections if the party prioritises qualification and electability.
“This APC ticket, God has restored it to us. We will take it and we will win this election.
“We will win the presidency, we will win the Senate seat, and we will win all our House of Representatives seats,” he said.
