Edo 2027: Omagbon Picks NDC Form for Ovia Federal Constituency, Says Time for Mediocre Representation is Over

By Arit Mboh

The political atmosphere in Edo State has received a fresh wave of excitement as veteran administrator, legal practitioner, and former Ovia North East Local Government chairman, Barrister Lucy Omagbon, formally picked the nomination form of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) to contest for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Speaking shortly after obtaining the party form, Omagbon declared that the era of “mediocre representation” in Ovia Federal Constituency must come to an end, insisting that the people deserve purposeful leadership anchored on experience, competence, and proven service delivery.

According to her, the decision to join the race was born out of deep concern over the underdevelopment of the constituency despite its enormous human and economic potential as well as the voting strength.

“Our people deserve quality representation, not empty promises—laced with arrogance. The time has come to replace mediocrity with measurable performance and genuine commitment to the welfare of the people,” she stated.

Omagbon, whose public service career spans several decades, said she possesses the administrative experience, political exposure, and grassroots connection needed to attract development to Ovia Federal Constituency.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential grassroots politicians in Ovia, Omagbon enjoys a massive following across communities, youth groups, women associations, and political stakeholders within the constituency. Her supporters describe her as a leader who has remained accessible to the people over the years and one who understands the needs of the grassroots.

Political observers say her popularity and longstanding relationship with the people may pose a major challenge to the ruling APC in the constituency.

Her entry into the race is already generating conversations among residents, many of whom have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the current APC representative, Omosede Igbinedion. Critics within the constituency argue that the lawmaker has failed to deliver meaningful representation and visible constituency projects since assuming office.

Many political stakeholders also continue to describe Omosede’s emergence during the last National Assembly elections as a product of political imposition rather than popular grassroots acceptance, a perception that analysts believe has continued to affect public confidence in the current representation.

Against this backdrop, a large number of the All Progressives Congress and supporters of Omagbon insist that her candidacy represents an opportunity for the constituency to return to people-oriented leadership driven by competence and performance.

Omagbon has pointed to her early career in public service, beginning with her stint at the defunct Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET) between 1982 and 1983 in Lagos after completing her National Youth Service in Maiduguri, where she served as a pupil estate surveyor in the Borno State Ministry of Lands and Surveys.

Thereafter, she later joined the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in 1983 as an Estate Surveyor II and rose through the ranks to become a manager before moving to the bank’s Lagos headquarters as Manager of Audit and eventually Head of the Mortgage Audit Unit.

While serving in the Benin branch office of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Omagbon said over 2,000 indigenes across the then Bendel State, and later Edo and Delta States, benefitted from housing loans that enabled them to build personal homes.

“That intervention changed many lives and families. Till today, many people still appreciate those efforts,” she said.

Her extensive experience in mortgage auditing also took her across nearly all states of the federation, exposing her to governance structures, infrastructural realities, and development strategies nationwide.

Following her voluntary retirement from the bank in 1997, Omagbon ventured fully into legal practice, business, and active politics.

In April 2000, she was appointed Commissioner for Special Duties in Edo State, where she played a pivotal role in reviving the Rural Electricity Board, which later evolved into the Ministry of Public Utilities.

Barely four months later, she was redeployed as Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Housing following what government officials described at the time as her “outstanding administrative capacity.”

Political observers note that Omagbon’s strongest credentials may stem from her tenure as Executive Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area between April 2013 and April 2016.

According to her, she inherited a deeply troubled financial system, including over N25 million in bank liabilities and unpaid salary arrears owed to council workers.

Despite the daunting challenges, her administration reportedly transformed the council within two years through aggressive infrastructural development across the thirteen wards of the local government.

Projects executed during her tenure included the construction and renovation of health centres and doctors’ quarters, classroom blocks, magistrate court buildings, and the now prominent council secretariat complex widely regarded as one of the landmark public structures in the area.

She also emphasized that workers’ welfare remained a top priority throughout her administration.
“By the grace of God, we were able to restore confidence in governance and bring development closer to the grassroots. Leadership is about results, not rhetoric,” she declared.

Party faithful who attended the declaration ceremony expressed optimism that her entry into the race would reshape the political contest in Ovia Federal Constituency ahead of the elections.

As political activities gather momentum across Edo State, analysts believe Omagbon’s blend of administrative experience, grassroots appeal, and growing political momentum may position her as a formidable contender in the race for the federal legislative seat.