What is happening in Edo South right now is more than just a political fight; it is a test of leadership before the All Progressives Congress’ primaries in May 2026. It will show if Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State can rise above outside pressures from factions and make decisions with strategic clarity. This will show if past agreements can be kept without hurting the present. Iyobosa Uwugiaren looks at the problems that are happening.
Edo politics are getting more divided again, and beneath the surface of party statements, planned silences, and public fights is a bigger question: who really has the political power in Edo South?
What is happening in the APC in Edo State is not just another fight between party members; it is a high-stakes battle for memory, power, and survival.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu is at the center. His political journey has been marked by patience, resilience, reinvention, and staying important. Opposite him are voices of resistance, like former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Jarret Tenebe. Their opposition is both strategic and symbolic. And Governor Monday Okpebholo is stuck in the middle of it all, caught in a web of conflicting loyalties and future goals. And don’t get it wrong: this is no longer about getting a senatorial ticket. This is for 2028
When things get tough in politics, history has a way of coming back. Edo State is a place where political memory is long and unforgiving. Not too long ago, Okpebholo was at a dangerous crossroads. His goal of becoming governor of Edo State was anything but easy. He faced strong political opponents and entrenched interests, led by Oshiomhole, who were not entirely convinced or willing to give up ground.
It was Ize-Iyamu who stepped up at that crucial time, when alliances were weak and the future was uncertain. Not with words, but with the tools of politics. Not with vague endorsements, but with structures that have been tested, put to use, and are deeply rooted in Edo South. His involvement wasn’t just for show; it was planned. And it worked. That help tipped the scales. It made the governor’s hard road to victory easier, both in the primary and the general election.
And that’s why the resistance to Ize-Iyamu’s plans that is happening right now is more important than a normal political disagreement. It brings up a big question: can a structure that helped the APC win in Edo State, especially the governor, be ignored without any problems?
Edo South is more than just another senatorial district. The largest, most complicated, and most important voting bloc in the state is the heart of Edo politics. Here, not only are governorship wins affected, but they are also decided. The district is a place where people have many different identities, loyalties, historical ties, and political gatekeepers. If you don’t understand Edo South, you don’t understand Edo State.
Ize-Iyamu is more than just a player in this area. He is a part of history. His political networks, which he has built over years of involvement, go beyond party lines and election cycles. They are part of communities, strengthened by loyalty, and put into action when it matters most.
This is why the current pushback against his desire to be a senator is not without risk. It’s not just about stopping a candidate; it’s about facing a system. And in Nigeria, political structures don’t go away. They respond.
The resistance itself says a lot. When people like Oshiomhole and Tenebe get involved, it’s more than just a disagreement; it’s a sign of respect. In politics, silence is the only response to things that don’t matter. Opposition comes when something is relevant. The strong pushback against Ize-Iyamu is, oddly enough, proof that he still has political power and influence.
But things are not as simple as they seem. It’s not enough for Okpebholo to just take sides; he also has to deal with the results. He may think that openly backing Ize-Iyamu could make other powerful groups in the APC angry. However, going against Ize-Iyamu could hurt the very base that helped him win in the first place.
It is a tricky balancing act that needs more than just political instinct. It takes discipline, planning, and a deep understanding of timing.
Things are getting even more complicated because Ize-Iyamu’s camp has carefully spread the word that his candidacy is inevitable, and they are right. He is making himself not only a candidate but also the obvious choice for Edo South by holding consultations, getting strategic endorsements, and staying involved with the community.
Some of his critics might say that the idea isn’t accepted by everyone. But in politics, what people think is what happens. It affects how people line up, gives things momentum, and makes people who aren’t sure what to do choose a side. It makes people want to join in, which can be hard to stop.
Recent events have shown that Ize-Iyamu is a moving train. And this makes people who don’t want to follow him act quickly. It puts pressure on the governor. It’s not whether Okpebholo can stop a political contest that matters; that’s not convincing or wise. The question is whether he can handle it without letting it break apart.
Edo politics has seen this movie before: fights within parties turn into factional crises, parallel party structures form, defections weaken the party’s electoral strength, and in the end, losses that could have been avoided.
These fears are not just in your head. They are real events that have left a mark on the state’s political consciousness. A governor who wants to be re-elected should learn this lesson the hard way: a divided party can’t win a united election.
This is when political memory can be both a burden and a guide. Ize-Iyamu’s past support isn’t just a footnote in history; it’s still important to think about today. In Nigerian politics, loyalty may not always last, but it is almost never forgotten, especially when it leads to power.
Ignoring that reality is not a good idea; it is dangerous. But admitting it doesn’t mean giving in to it. The governor’s job is more complicated. It’s about making a system where competition doesn’t lead to destruction, ambition doesn’t lead to resentment, and results don’t leave lasting scars. That means getting involved, not staying away.
It means knowing how much Ize-Iyamu affects things without letting that affect the party as a whole. Even when a dominant figure is present, it is important to make sure that other stakeholders feel heard and valued. It takes more than just a wide coalition to make it strong. Because isolated victories won’t win 2028. It will be won by working together.
Ize-Iyamu himself is still at the center of this equation. He is a politician whose importance has not changed despite changing alliances and strong opposition. His resilience is not fortuitous; it results from sustained involvement, strategic flexibility, and a profound comprehension of Edo’s political landscape.
It’s hard to break up his networks. It’s hard to ignore his influence. And maybe most importantly, his story is not one of failure, but of staying strong. So, the fact that outsiders are currently resisting him does not make him less important. It raises the stakes of his ambition, if anything. It turns his campaign into a vote on who has power, loyalty, and control over Edo South.
For Governor Okpebholo, this has big effects. He can’t afford to just sit back and watch this contest. The outcome, whether it’s about picking candidates, keeping the party together, or how voters feel, will have a direct impact on his own political future.
If you don’t handle it right, the effects could go far beyond just losing your seat in the Senate. If you handle it well, it could help you build a strong base for a successful re-election bid in 2028.
In the end, what’s going on in Edo South is more than just a political fight. It is a key test of leadership. It will show if the governor can rise above outside pressures from different groups and make clear strategic decisions. It will show if old partnerships can be kept without hurting the way things are now. And it will decide if the APC in Edo State can deal with its own problems without hurting its chances of winning elections.
But one thing is certain: Edo South will not be neutral in 2028. It will choose, shape, and ultimately define the result. And in that important area, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is still a force that can’t be ignored.
Don’t ignore him; it’s dangerous.
