Today 16th May 2026, the people of Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas, my people, my benefactors and the geographical expression that made me whom I am today politically, spoke in unison in their usual tradition of respecting the tradition of rotating representation at the Federal House of Representatives without distortion.
This they did through the All Progressives Congress primaries in which Hon Chief(Dr) Billy Famous Adesuwa Osawaru emerged as candidate for the 2027 general elections
My appreciation goes to the APC leadership in the Constituency and the State for recognizing not just the need for the candidate to complete the second term in office on behalf of Uhunmwode local Government Area but for respecting the tradition of rotation with one representative.
This tradition has a fairly long history. Our Senatorial Leader and former Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Dr Pius E Odubu did two terms on behalf of Orhionmwon Local Government between 1999 and 2007. Yours truly did two terms and even rose to become a principal officer in the house of Representatives from the Uhunmwode Local Government axis. In keeping with the same tradition Hon Patrick Asowieren completed his two terms in the same house of Representatives between 2007 and 2023 from Orhionmwon Local Government Area before the incumbent who now won the ticket today Hon Billy Osawaru took over from Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
This trajectory has its advantages on political stability and cooperation among the two local Government Areas. In this tradition, no one person has had his tenure cut short with a replacement by another person thereby underscoring the understanding of the people on the need to have experienced legislators who becomes ready made pool for state and national leadership. In this regard therefore, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Federal Constituency remains the only constituency in the state that has maintained this consistent power rotation which has now become an unbreakable convention from which others must copy.
I thank all our political leaders and party members and congratulate Hon Billy Osawaru for this victory.
However, mindful of the fact that this is just the first step towards consolidating on the gains of this consistent political arrangement, I urge him and every party member to close ranks for the success of the party at the general elections come next year. Indeed the task of winning the election must begin now. More importantly, the task of attracting development to the Constituency remains the primary objective of everyone particularly through our Representatives at all levels. We sure need to do much more to liberate our constituency form underdevelopment. It is a collective duty.
Once again, I thank the APC leaders and members in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Federal Constituency for their maturity and ingenuity in handling the process of the primaries that has produced an undisputed result.
Long Live Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency
Long Live Edo State
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Rt Hon Samson R Osagie, PhD
Legal Practitioner, Mediator & Notary Public
▪︎Member/Minority Whip, House of Representatives (2007-2015)
▪︎Attorney General & Commissioner For Justice, Edo State(2024-2025)