Edo Guber: PDP, APC, LP, Others In Crunch Battle For Osadebe Avenue

time of testing popularity, acceptability, a year of different lies from the mouths of politicians, a season of cruelty, a season of predictions and prophecies coming from different quarters, each purveying one message or other, some favourable, some fearful. A decision making year for Edo so filled with nightmares, a year of power show.

The general option is that the Edo election is not going to be different from other previous elections in Nigeria based on the already laid down principles that guide our electoral system.

The questions on every lip are: What hope does this election hold for Edo State, are the new people coming to power going to add to already existing sufferings, hunger that have ravaged our land? Will Edo people succeed in bringing on board leaders that have the fear of God, that will bring about probity, accountability and transparency to public life, so that the people will be able to see continuity and a new Edo devoid of squander mania, corruption, hatred, ethnic and religious bigotry.
Will Edo people allow habitual election- riggers their way? Will the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allow themselves to be used? The Majority view of the electorates in Edo State is that it would be a difficult task for a person or group of persons to intimidate them. Nigerian electorates are intelligent and conscious of their political environment. It happened in the past because of the gullibility and naivety of voters. Now those who think they can use security agencies, or private militia groups to deny people of their choice should have a rethink because of the consequences of their actions.

This time round, security agencies should be more responsible and responsive to the needs of the people and also show more resilience in the discharge of their statutory duties. Therefore, in the September 21st gubernatorial election in Edo, all search lights are on INEC, political parties, candidates, their supporters and above all the security agencies. Nothing less than a free, fair, credible and transparent election is expected.

The situation in Edo now is that, politicking, lobbying and counter lobbying of the electorates is at the crescendo, the atmosphere is charged; tension, anxiety and suspicion are on the increase. The electorates in Edo are asking questions about whom to trust and whom to give their votes to.

Whatever the situation is now, Edo people are ready to vote and decide their future and that of their unborn generation. They do not want to make the mistake of the past, they are being careful not to make a wrong choice that will further plunge them into a more impoverished state.

For the three major political parties and their gladiators, it is a fight to the finish. The PDP governorship candidate, Asuelimen Ighodalo, Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the Labour Party National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure, and his party’s candidate Barrister Olumide Akpata, are the people in the battle field.

From the present political situation on ground, with few weeks to the decision day, vis-a -vis the governorship election, the PDP has continued to gain more popularity in the three senatorial districts of the State, because of the track records of Godwin Obaseki and the acceptability of Asue Ighodalo in the state.

Since 2016, Edo State Governor Obaseki has consistently won all political battles. His quietness and articulate way of carrying out his work have continued to puzzle political opponents in the state.

The question many people are asking in Edo political terrain is that can history be repeated this time round by Obaseki and the PDP? The outgoing governor has done a lot of things in the state that has made the electorate fall in love with him and his anointed candidate.

From the political equation and the distribution of sensitive political positions in Edo State by Obaseki in the three senatorial districts, the PDP it seems has an edge.

The ruling PDP is in total control of the 18 local government councils which is a plus. For instance in Edo North the home of the former State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, the current Speaker of the State Legislative arm of government Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, is from Edo North. The current Deputy Governor Godwin Omobayo is also from Edo North. So, over there is going to be a tough fight.

In Edo Central, the home of the PDP governorship candidate, Ighodalo, Obaseki has so empowered the people that almost 60% of the vote is generally believed to be for Ighodalo. In terms of the crowd, mobilization, popularity, determination, foot Soldiers, acceptability, logistics and campaign strategies, PDP is in charge of the 18 LGAs.

APC, LP and PRP
The fight in Edo North is fierce because of the two powerful political forces involved in the senatorial districts; the Adams Oshiomhole, Philip Shaibu factor of the APC, Blessing Agbebaku (Speaker) and the Godwin Omobayo factor (Deputy Governor) PDP.

This is one election that will become a benchmark in the history of Edo State that will be so hard to forget. It is an election where the victorious will be celebrating and those who lose will be left alone in the rain like orphans.

Coming to Edo South which has the highest population and the highest local governments, it is going to be like a war.

Edo South has become the centre of attraction as a result of the political big weights that reside in the zone.

Here many factors will play out. This is the home of the sitting governor, this is the home of the PDP running mate, it is the home of the Chief of Staff to the governor, this is the home of most political power brokers in the state.
Again the running mate to the APC candidate is also from there. This is also the home of former governorship candidate of the APC Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. There is going to be a battle royale in Edo South. Also the local government Council Chairmen are all Obaseki’s boys. Any political party that wins Edo South automatically has the governor. Edo South is also the home of the Labour Party governorship candidate, Barrister Olumide Akpata, his popularity is huge in Edo South but can that alone cannot guarantee him victory at the poll? But he is a force to reckoned with. The other smaller political parties are begging for recognition.

The Candidates: Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC)
Good man, magnanimous but with a low political voice. APC is basically looking up to the powers in ‘Aso Rock’. But will that be enough?
For Okpebholo, he wasn’t prepared for the senatorial position in Esan Central senatorial district; it was actually the rejection of Senator Engineer Clifford Odia by Esan people when he was asking for a third term that gave Senator Okpebholo the sympathy votes that led to his emergence.
Another strong factor that may militate against his election in Esan land is the marginalisation of Esan people by the former Government of Adams Oshiomhole.
Esan land is predominantly PDP because of the legacy of their late political leader Chief Tony Anineh. The popularity of Senator Okpebholo, in his place of birth is not unexpected. His campaign team is working hard to ensure victory.

DR Asuelimen Ighodalo (PDP)
Intelligent, experienced in various human fields of life, articulate, composed, a man with intimidating credentials accepted by the people and finally with promising manifestos.
Ighodalo, though not a politician, his appearance in public places thus far has shown that he is a man of the people.
Today, a lot of groups, organisations, smaller political units across the state both home and abroad have thrown their weight behind him.

Barrister Olumide Akpata (LP)
Barrister Olumide Akpata is intelligent, outspoken, a known lawyer, former President Nigeria Bar Association NBA and a politician. He joined the Labour Party at the last minute. His candidacy was challenged in court by Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon.
His popularity is huge in Edo South. But can that alone cannot give him the governorship seat in Edo? The political big weights that shouldered the Obedient Movement in Edo State during the last election have all abandoned the party.
These are the major political parties known in this battle. Others are pretenders. But all the political parties have promised that the Edo 2024 election will be totally free of intimidation, oppression, banality, rigging among others.