By Abiola Olawale
Hon Joe Ikpea’s candidacy for the Edo Central Senatorial District seat has been gaining massive traction as the campaign heats up.
Declaring his decision to enter the now crowded Edo Central Senatorial Race during a press briefing he held recently, Dr Joe Ikpea anchored his decision to vie for the vacant seat on his vision to leverage his vast political and business experiences to impact on the lives of the pepple of Edo Central Senatorial Zone.
Hon Joe Ikpea, maintained that given his experience, knowledge and excellent career trajectory, he “would deliver the dividends of democracy in Edo Central, given the opportunity to represent the good people of Esan nation at the Senate.”
The New Diplomat gathered that after Joe Ikpea’s declaration, there has been growing massive support for his candidacy.
The New Diplomat further learnt that the surge in support of Ikpea’s candidacy is rooted in both his political history and his recent activities aimed at securing the senatorial position.
Ikpea is no stranger to the political landscape of Edo State. He previously served as the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Oil, and Gas in Edo State, a position that allowed him to garner both experience and visibility in the political arena.
Also, Ikpea’s political journey has been characterized by his active participation in the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is known to be a loyal party member, contributing significantly to its growth and stability in Edo State.
His political acumen has been reiterated severally by his supporters, many of who have cited Ikpea’s strategic roles within the party and his contributions to governance.
It would be recalled that the vacancy in the Edo Central Senatorial District arose after Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, who previously held the seat, was inaugurated as governor.
Since then Ikpea has declared his intention to run for the seat, a development he said would allow him to serve the good people of Edo Central Senatorial District.
Ikpea’s campaign has been notably grassroots-focused. He has been engaging directly with the electorate in Esanland, the primary constituency of Edo Central, emphasizing his local roots and understanding of community needs.
The New Diplomat observed that this strategy has resonated well with voters who value local representation and familiarity with regional issues.
This is as his candidacy has seen endorsements from various APC chieftains in Edo State.
The New Diplomat’s team recently went around the five Local Government Areas that constitute the Edo Central Senatorial District, sampling stakeholders and respondents.
Responses from the five Local Government Areas of the Edo Central Senatorial District seem to reflect the increasing consensus that Ikpea is a prominent figure known to the grassroots for his background as an apt professional, grassroots politician, philanthropist, and businessman, with the requisite background to represent Edo Central at the Senate.
ESAN CENTRAL LGA
A chieftain of APC in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Eugene Okoloise described Ikpea as the best man for the job.
He said: “Joseph is the man for the job and to me, he is simply the best for the job. If you take a sample poll from among the people in Edo Central ninety percent of the people will tell you that they will go for Joseph.
“I know that Joe was not initially keen on running for the vacant senatorial seat. It was the people who came together to say, Joe, come and run for the seat because we know you can do it.”
IGUEBEN LGA
In the same vein, Mr. Augustus Omokaro Eriaria, who hails from Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State described Ikpea as “a very dependable and reliable politician who has always been in the service of his people and humanity.” According to him, as the chairman of Esan South East Local Government Area, Dr. Ikpea “proved his mettle.
ESAN WEST LGA
A chieftain of the party from Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Engr. Michael Ehitoya Kuku, who spoke to The New Diplomat said Ikpea is a grassroots politician who cares for his people.
In his words: “Joe has been on the ground and knows what the people want. He is not an outsider. He is somebody who knows what his people want. He is a man of few words but full of action.”
ESAN SOUTH LGA
In Esan South Local Government Area of Edo State, a youth leader of the APC, Hon. Prosper Iyere, from Ward 7 in Esan South Local Government of Edo State, maintained that he had made a comparative analysis between and among all persons aspiring to the position and, in his words, he had zeroed on Joe Ikpea as the aspirant to beat for the vacant senatorial seat.
ESAN NORTH LGA
Also emphasizing the impact that Dr Joe Ikpea had on people in his previous political offices, another chieftain of the party, Mr Saturday Iyoha from Esan North East Local Government Area, stated that “Dr Joe is a successful businessman and is also a politician. He was a one-time Chairman for Esan South East Local Government Area. He did well as a Local Government chairman. I know him, he is a philanthropist. He is living a life that touches other people’s lives. He is a man that is accessible to everybody”.
Indeed, Dr Joseph Ikpea’s political journey is not only rich, fitting, and exciting but one that has also enabled him to touch countless lives in Edo Central, engage in awesome community development and transformation, as well as construct lasting positive legacies. He was one-time Chairman of the Edo State Library Board during the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
He was also a member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under the administration of former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He was also a one-time Esan South East Local Government council chairman. He also served as a Commissioner for Minerals, Oil, and Gas during the first tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
