At 30, Anthony Osarobo Shatters Record to Emerge Edo’s Youngest Council Chairman-Elect

At 30, Anthony Osarobo Shatters Record to Emerge Edo’s Youngest Council Chairman-Elect

Falmata Ibrahim 

History was made in Ovia South West Local Government Area on Saturday as Anthony Osarobo, 30, emerged victorious in the chairmanship election, becoming the youngest person ever elected to lead a local government council in Edo State.

Osarobo, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, recorded a landslide win against candidates from 11 other political parties in the polls conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC.

The Returning Officer for the LGA, Dr. Arodoye Nosakhare, announced the final results at the council’s collation centre.  

According to him, Osarobo secured a total of 98,994 votes, leaving his closest rivals far behind.

“Having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, the APC chairmanship candidate, Anthony Osarobo, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Dr. Nosakhare stated.

The breakdown of results further highlighted the margin of victory. The Allied Party garnered 28 votes, Action Alliance 42, African Action Congress 32, and the Action Democratic Party 26.  

APGA polled 25 votes, Allied People’s Movement 5, Action People’s Party 12, while NNPP, PRP, and YPP recorded 1 vote each. The Zenith Labour Party had 15 votes.

In his first reaction after the declaration, Osarobo thanked the people of Ovia South West for the massive support given to him and promised to repay them with purposeful leadership.

“I feel deeply honoured to have been chosen as Chairman of Ovia South West. This victory is not about me alone, it is about the faith and confidence our people have in a new direction,” he said.  

“I am committed to working hard to drive development, strengthen governance, and deliver real progress that will touch the lives of our people at the grassroots.”

Political observers say Osarobo’s emergence represents a turning point in Edo politics, as it breaks the age barrier for council leadership in the state. At 30, he becomes the youngest council chairman-elect in Edo’s history.

Many residents who spoke after the announcement described his win as a sign that the electorate are ready to entrust leadership to younger, more dynamic individuals.

The election was held across Edo’s 18 local government areas to elect chairmen and councillors under the supervision of EDSIEC, with security agencies and observers deployed to monitor the process.

With his victory, Osarobo is expected to assume office in the coming weeks and lead efforts to address key challenges in Ovia South West, including infrastructure, youth empowerment, and rural development.