INEC Seeks Clarification Over Duplicate Names on Edo Assembly List

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Edo State office has sought clarification from its headquarters after two candidates’ names appeared under different political parties on the final list for the 2027 state House of Assembly election.

The affected names are Ogbebor Samson Osemudiamen, listed under both the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan North East II, and Usman William Idenobe, listed under both parties in Etsako East.

The duplication was identified in an analysis of 164 entries on the list released in Benin for elections across the state’s 24 assembly constituencies.

It remains unclear whether the repeated names reflect a publication error, a nomination-related issue or another circumstance. Their appearance alone does not establish wrongdoing by either candidate or party.

INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Edo, Mrs Toyin Buoro, acknowledged that the state office had noticed the entries and referred the matter to headquarters.

“Our observation too, but that was what was sent from the headquarters and we have drawn the attention of the appropriate quarters to it, awaiting their reply,” she said.

Her response indicates that clarification was still pending. For voters in the affected constituencies, the unresolved entries leave questions about the candidates’ nomination status and party affiliation.

Women Remain Below 10 Per Cent

Beyond the duplicated names, the published list shows a substantial gender imbalance.

Of the 164 entries counted, 148 were recorded as male and 16 as female, representing 90.24 per cent and 9.76 per cent respectively.

These figures describe the entries as published. Because two names appear more than once, the total should not automatically be treated as the number of distinct candidates. Corrections could also change the gender proportions.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has four female candidates, the highest number among the parties listed. The Action Democratic Party (ADP) follows with three, while the Labour Party has two.

Seven parties have one female candidate each: the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party and APM.

Female Contenders Across Constituencies

Maria Edeko, listed as 63, is seeking a second term representing Esan North East II on the APC platform.

The PDP’s Uyigue Efosa, listed as 61, is contesting in Ovia North East I, while Natasha Osawaru, listed as 32, is seeking a second term representing Egor on the NDC platform.

The SDP’s four female candidates are Kemi Akerele in Akoko Edo I, Shirley Negbedion in Esan North East I, Imuetinyan Bright in Egor and Tracy Ogiemwanye in Ikpoba-Okha.

For the ADP, Bukky Ayetan is contesting in Egor, Osarenkhoe Erhunmwunse in Ikpoba-Okha and Patience Edobor in Orhionmwon I.

The figures show women contesting across several platforms and constituencies, but their overall representation remains limited. The list does not explain the nomination processes or barriers behind that imbalance.

INEC headquarters’ clarification will be necessary to resolve the duplicated entries and establish an accurate count of candidates contesting the election.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.