By Fred Itua
As Edo State prepares for the forthcoming by-elections in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, the political atmosphere is thick with anticipation and reflections on the kind of leadership our people deserve at this critical juncture in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Representation at the National Assembly has evolved beyond mere visibility or oratorical prowess. It is now a strategic enterprise that requires deliberate positioning, alignment, influence, and foresight.
In this critical moment, two names stand tall: Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion. These individuals are not just political figures; they represent an emerging wave of pragmatic leadership, leaders who understand that true representation demands more than grandstanding within parliamentary chambers. Their candidacies offer an opportunity for the people of Edo Central and Ovia to elect legislators who will not only be seen but will be felt in real terms across their constituencies.
As a parliamentary reporter and Politics Editor, I dutifully covered activities of the two chambers of the National Assembly for over a decade. As a knowledgeable participant, I can safely conclude that though eloquence on the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate Chamber is a necessity, it does not translate to constituency development.
Right networking, deliberate alignment with the ruling political party in the National Assembly, and a proper placement in a Grade A Committee as a Chairman will secure more goodies for the people. It is here that Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion demonstrate unmatched credentials. They are not only politically savvy, but they also possess the requisite relationships and strategic depth to ensure that their constituencies are not left out of the national equation.
For too long, representation has been reduced to theatrics and media optics; pictures of constituency meetings that yield no real outcomes, motions that die on arrival, and lawmakers who lack the political muscle to negotiate critical infrastructural and socio-economic deliverables. The coming by-elections present an opportunity for a radical departure from this underwhelming tradition.
Joe Ikpea brings to the table a rare blend of administrative excellence and political discipline. As a former Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas in Edo State, his tenure was marked by innovation, transparency, and people-focused development. His political loyalty and alignment with the state and federal leadership position him as a bridge-builder who can negotiate dividends of democracy with tact and assured outcomes.
Omosede Igbinedion, on her part, is no stranger to the National Assembly. Her past stint as a lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency afforded her insight into the workings of the legislature and the intricacies of constituency engagement. But this time, she returns more prepared, more grounded, and better networked to deliver with sharper precision. Her international exposure, philanthropic track record, and understanding of federal structures make her uniquely positioned to harness resources for Ovia’s development.
Beyond personal competencies, both Ikpea and Igbinedion understand the imperative of political alignment. With the current configuration of the National Assembly and the APC-led federal government, only those with the tact to align, lobby, and negotiate within power circles will succeed in attracting projects and interventions to their constituencies. This is no time for opposition romanticism or political adventurism. This is a time for calculated moves, guided by experience and political realism.
It must be emphasized that the ultimate goal of legislative representation is not to trend on social media or win applause on the floor of the chamber. It is to deliver tangible results; oads, healthcare, schools, youth empowerment, industrial linkages, and federal presence in the daily lives of constituents. That is the core mandate, and that is what Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion are committed to delivering.
Those who argue for ‘fresh faces’ must be reminded that freshness without depth leads to legislative irrelevance. The National Assembly is not a place for apprenticeship or trial and error. It is a terrain where only the prepared, the connected, and the pragmatic survive, thrive. It’s a complex, unforgiving space. If you don’t know how to play, you’ll get played and your people will pay the price. Edo Central and Ovia cannot afford to send placeholders or political tourists to Abuja. They need tested hands with clear blueprints who can hit the ground running .
Moreover, both candidates represent a unique gender and regional balance. Omosede Igbinedion’s presence reaffirms the place of women in national decision-making and signals Edo’s readiness to lead in inclusivity. Joe Ikpea’s emergence consolidates the push for credible, homegrown leadership that understands the peculiar developmental needs of Edo Central.
As campaigns heat up, voters must rise beyond tokenism and begin to ask deeper questions: Who can negotiate better committee placements? Who has access to the corridors of power? Who can build sustainable bridges between the local and the national? Who has the experience, discipline, and vision to turn legislative access into developmental outcomes? The answers point clearly to Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion.
Edo Central and Ovia stand at a pivotal crossroad. The decisions made in these by-elections will shape the developmental trajectory of these districts for years to come. Let us reject sentiments and embrace strategic representation. Let us choose progress over politics. Let us vote Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion for competence, capacity, and continuity.
Itua is a former National Assembly Correspondent and Politics Editor with deep experience in Parliamentary Affairs and Legislative Reporting
