By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor
FORTY days to its February 22 governorship primaries in Edo State, the ruling Peoples Democratic, PDP, is locked in a dilemma over zoning of its ticket.
The party leadership also has issues arising from the ceding of the ticket to Governor Godwin Obaseki, in 2020, to resolve as a number of serious contenders from the three senatorial zones of Edo jostle for the PDP ticket for the September 21 poll.
Currently, no fewer than six aspirants have collected the five million naira expression of interest form.
Early birds
Those who have so far paid and obtained the PDP expression of interest forms include: Blessing Igbenedion; incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu; Boardroom Guru, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; Felix Akhabue; former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Anslem Ojezua and two-member of the House of Representatives, and winner of the 2020 governorship primaries in Edo, Mr. Ogbeide Ihama.
As expected, powerful political stakeholders are locked in a flurry of activities, aligning and re-aligning in the battle for the PDP ticket.
Power brokers
There is a rat-race of sorts for the buy-in of three power brokers, namely, the party leadership in Edo and at the centre; Governor Obaseki; and would-be delegates at the primaries.
Governor Obaseki, who first came to power on the platform of the APC, got re-elected on the banner of the PDP.
He left the APC for the PDP after he was schemed out of the race for the APC ticket by his immediate predecessor, erstwhile godfather, and then APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who is now representing Edo North in the Senate.
Although he is yet to ‘show his hand,’ Obaseki is said to be in favour Edo Central producing his successor, and is prompting Ighodalo in the race for the Government House.
There are also talks that he could back Ojezua, who defected with him to the PDP.
On the other flank are some PDP elders and stalwarts, said to be against Obaseki’s ‘anointed candidate.’
This group is led by Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice chairman, South-South.
Orbih, who fought for Obaseki to get a foothold in the PDP during the governor’s travails in the APC, remains in firm control of the traditional PDP members in Edo. His caucus recently announced the formation of the Legacy Coalition, an amalgam of political forces across party lines in the state.
Though Orbih’s camp has not announced its anointed candidate, many aspirants consider the coalition as a rallying point and clearing house.
Shaibu’s quest
Deputy Governor Shaibu, who is from Edo North, is emerging as a strong bloc in his own right and claims he is the best man for the job and the candidate to beat. He is obviously running without the support of Obaseki.
Huge dilemma
Amid the jostling is the creeping of a huge dilemma into the works that the PDP hierarchy is said to be having a tough time resolving.
According to sources, the zoning formula has become a major hurdle that may make or mar to the PDP.
While Governor Obaseki and some leaders are preaching the gospel of fairness, equity, and justice to push for ceding the ticket to Edo Central, some want the ticket thrown open.
Obaseki and those in team argued that since Edo South has had the governorship seat through him for eight years, Edo North had it for eight years via Oshiomhole, it would only be fair for Edo Central to take the slot after him. Edo Central was in the saddle for 20 months through Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, whose election was annulled the Court, paving the way for Oshiomhole.
Other calculations
However, some of those opposed to the governor’s argument said it did not take Edo political reality and voters demography into account.
According to them, Edo South has more registered voters than Edo North and Central combined.
While Edo Central has 20 per cent of the voters’ population, Edo North has about 28 per cent, and Edo South has 52 per cent.
“It would be suicidal for a party to zone its ticket to an area with 20 per cent of the votes, where there are candidates from the area that produces 52 per cent,” one of the leaders said.
This was one of the reasons late Chief Tony Anenih, popularly known as Mr. Fix It, backed Chief Lucky Igbinedion from Edo South for the governorship seat in 1999 instead of insisting on a candidate from his native Esan in Edo Central, the party leader added.
Some party leaders said the question of justice, equity, and fairness should also take into account what transpired in 2020 when the party prevailed on Ogbeide Ihama to step down for Obaseki, who had lost out in the APC.
“If Ogbeide Ihama could listen to the voices of the party in 2020 and drop his ticket for Obaseki, the avenue to start the prayer for justice, equity, and fairness is the Ihama Avenue,” another leader of the PDP reportedly argued, adding that “the coast should be clear for Ihama now that Obaseki is completing his tenure particularly because he represents Edo South, which holds the bulk of the votes.”
As it is, sources said different levels of the party leadership including the National Working Committee, NWC; and Governors forum are divided on the issue because the party cannot afford to lose Edo the way it lost Cross River, Abia and Ebonyi in recent time via mistreating loyal party members
With the APC and Labour Party, LP, mounting a serious challenge for the governorship, the PDP cannot afford to go to the poll with a divided front.
Vanguard gathered that some NWC members are disturbed over accusations that the party was being notorious for failing to reward loyalty leading to loss of some states in past polls.
It is to be seen if PDP would get the zoning issue and candidate right, and retain Edo.
Source: Vanguard
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