As the political atmosphere in Edo State gathers momentum leading to the highly anticipated September 21, 2024 governorship election, the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable on September 26, 2023, has set the stage on fire for aspirants to intensify consultations ahead of the parties’ primaries scheduled for February this year.
Political parties have been facing daunting tasks in selecting the candidates who will emerge as their flag bearers.
Political watchers had thought that the battleground for the state’s top position will likely be a three-horse race, dominated by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, the opposition All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party, but with the unfolding events, particularly the PDP, that has to do with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s anointed son and love lost between him and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, the tendency to witness the emergence of another strong party in the race cannot be waved aside.
Amidst the Edo Central Senatorial district’s claim that it is their turn to produce the governor, a major hurdle looms for political parties in the selection of candidates from the senatorial districts.
While the PDP and LP are yet to make pronouncements on zoning, the APC has last week declared its decision to jettison zoning but uphold its search for a consensus candidate to emerge from a direct primary.
Notwithstanding the absence of a written agreement or legislation mandating the rotation of the governorship position, the views among the Esan people of Edo Central is strong, while championing the course for their chance to produce the next governor.
While some politicians propose an open competition for governorship ticket to pave way for competence and capacity, proponents of fairness, equity, and justice insist that Edo Central deserves the opportunity having not had a fair share since the return of democracy and given its significant contribution to what is now referred to as Edo State.
“If the recent endorsements and other aspirants stepping down is anything to go by, Ighodalo can be said to be positioned to pick the party’s ticket with ease against his arch opponent, Philip Shaibu”
The zone’s opportunity to produce a governor was thwarted by the court that quashed the election of Professor Oserheimen Osunbor who was elected Governor of Edo State in April 2007 on the PDP platform.
On March 20, 2008, the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal declared that his election was invalid, and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw his Certificate of Return and declare Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress Nigeria the winner.
On November 11, 2008, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City upheld the ruling of the state’s elections petitions tribunal, declaring Oshiomhole the governor of Edo State. The decision brought to an end the hope of the zone to produce the state’s chief executive.
Osunbor in his doggedness has returned to the race but in another political platform, the APC. As the zone lays claim to the right of producing the next governor on the basis of fair play, equity and justice, men described as timber and caliber in the political terrain from the zone have flooded the political parties in a bid to clinch the ticket.
However, the outgoing governor whose body language proves to be in total support of the zoning system has been accused by his deputy to have anointed an Esan born aspirant, Asue Ighodalo, to clinch the PDP ticket.
Ighodalo, who is said to be in the Edo 2024 governorship race with pedigree and rich credentials, made a unique announcement of his intentions in his hometown of Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area last year.
Even with the absence of a formal agreement, the political dynamics surrounding the 2024 election underscore the importance of balancing regional representation and individual merit in the selection of the next Edo State governor.
Despite all odds and as the political narrative unfolds, analysts believe that candidates like Ighodalo will bring a combination of legal expertise and corporate leadership to the forefront which will definitely challenge traditional norms and advocating for a more inclusive and merit-based selection process because as a notable figure in the business circles in Nigeria, he is a Nigerian lawyer and the former chairman of Sterling Bank, with a rich background in corporate and commercial law.
Declaring his interest and why he is in the race, Ighodalo said having worked closely with the Oshiomhole and Obaseki’s administrations in Edo State; he had the experience and understood the challenges of the state.
He said, “I would do my utmost best to bridge the gaps and layers of distrust. That is my focus. I think I can put myself forward as a unifier.”
Expressing his unwavering commitment to delivering good governance if given the party’s ticket, Ighodalo said that he worked with Oshiomhole when he was a governor of the state from 2008 to 2016, and is also doing the same for Obaseki, whose tenure would end in 2024.
While describing himself as a detribalised Nigerian, and bonafide Edo citizen from Ewohimi in Edo Central, Ighodalo pledged to bring his vast experience and exposure of serving as chairman on the boards of various companies to bear as governor of the state.
The Point reliably gathered that the PDP caucus of Edo Central Senatorial District had endorsed Ighodalo, as its sole aspirant for the September 21, 2024 election.
This followed the official presentation of the Edo Central PDP special committee’s report, chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi. The committee said the adoption of Ighodalo was without prejudice to the right of any other aspirant to pursue his/her aspiration for the election.
If the recent endorsements and other aspirants stepping down is anything to go by, Ighodalo can be said to be positioned to pick the party’s ticket with ease against his arch opponent, Philip Shaibu.
An Edo state PDP stalwart who pleaded anonymity told The Point in an exclusive interview that Ighodalo, all his life, has pursued excellence through hard work, persistence, and teamwork.
“Ighodalo is indeed a team player, hard-working, pursuer of excellence and a persistent achiever whose interest is in the progress of every Edo son and daughter.
“On many occasions, he has created platforms for fellow Edo residents to join to carve a niche for the state, specifically on the growing concern and what the vision is for the future of the state.
“He is a man who believes that together, fellow citizens can banish poverty and bring an end to the current hardships of life by developing and implementing plans that attract and prioritise investments in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and human capital development as well as respect for human Rights.”
The PDP Chieftain who clearly stated that he would give his 100 per cent support for the Esan born politician also claimed that his choice was not anchored on the support of the governor but maintained that because he has observed that moving Edo State forward together is Ighodalo’s priority, which he has always made clear that he believes that Nigeria’s tomorrow will be determined by her youth, today.
“I listened to his declaration and heard him say, “Our youth are an unstoppable force; and my vision of a greater Edo State is powered by their dreams and aspirations; their energy, ideas and limitless talent.”
“When you have a man with this vision coming from the zone of fairness, equity and justice showing interest in bringing what stuff he is made of to serve his people, you have no choice but to support him and his ambition.”
A number of aspirants have already dropped out of the race as Ighodalo is reported to be the preferred candidate of Governor Obaseki however, the governor and his preferred candidate seem to have headed towards a collision course with the deputy governor, Shaibu who just last week tagged the governor a betrayal of trust.
Shaibu has remained defiant and insists on contesting for the PDP ticket and reports have it that former National Association of Nigerian Students past leaders only last week threw their weight behind him by not only endorsing his aspiration but purchasing the forms for him at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.
Shaibu who lamented that the decision by both of them to kill godfatherism in Edo State politics even accused the governor of trying to play the role of godfather in Edo politics.
He said this in a statement signed on his behalf.
According to him, “We all agreed as a group to fight godfathers – even the governor pledged to fight godfatherism in the state, and said he should be dealt with if he turns around and attempts to play the role of a godfather. But today, what is playing out is that he did not only betray me, he is bent on becoming a godfather.”
Unconfirmed news making the rounds has it that Shaibu may dump the PDP and pick the ticket of the Social Democratic Party.
Outside the PDP, the Edo governorship race has also gladiators like Olumide Akpata, a prominent corporate lawyer and former NBA president. The 51-year-old is running for the governorship position of Edo State on the platform of the Labour Party.
Joining in the race and announcing his aspirations last year, Akpata said he chose the Labour Party because it is people-oriented and August 1, 2023 marked a pivotal moment as he formally joined the political arena, solidifying his commitment to public service by joining the ranks of the Labour Party.
His numerous admirers have described the move as not only underscores his dedication to civic engagement, but also signals a new chapter in his journey towards contributing to the betterment of society.
As a member of the Labour Party, Akpata brings his unique perspective and ideas to the forefront, poised to play a role in shaping policy decisions and advocating for issues that align with the party’s values. His entrance into the political landscape highlights the growing diversity of voices within the party, fostering a broader and more inclusive dialogue on matters of national importance.
He will have his hands full of contest in the party with coming on board of an astute and man of the masses politician, educationist and philanthropist, Kenneth Imasuagbon who goes with the title “the rice man” a recognition for his yearly delivery of rice, money and other essential materials to ease the sufferings of the people of Edo State.
Imasuagbon is from Edo Central Senatorial District. He was a strong member of both PDP and APC but following the serial denial of the governorship ticket and the advent of a new brand Labour Party piloted by the coming of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general elections coupled with its performance in the field, he wasted no time to join the train believing his ambition to serve his people would be realised in the party.
The LP in its recent pronouncement on the primary election gave every aspirant the opportunity to go to the polls as the party did not create room for consensus candidates or asking any aspirant to step down since there was no preferred candidate.
But this is not so with APC as it’s yet to make its choice. This is just as the main opposition party in the state has intensified the search for a consensus candidate ahead of party primaries that are expected to hold by February 24, according to the election schedule announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In a bid to ensure that Edo APC is united to take over the reign of power from the Godwin Obaseki’s PDP led administration in Edo State, APC leaders had a marathon meeting on Monday last week in Abuja with all the governorship aspirants of the party in attendance aimed at producing a consensus candidate for the party.
The party had last week suspended the sale of governorship nomination and expression of interest forms and summoned a meeting of all aspirants.
It was learnt that the issue of zoning and consensus candidate topped the agenda of the Abuja meeting but at the end of the meeting, the deputy spokesman of the party, Durosimi Meseko, told the media in a briefing that the party has dumped zoning formula and opted for a consensus candidate to emerge from a direct primary election.
The reason for the decision, according to him, was to make sure they wrest the Edo State government house from the PDP which took it by error in the last election.
Meseko claimed that the party will be headed for disaster if it allows everyone who signified interest to go to the field and added that it would lead to implosion and consequently cost the party the seat.
Some of the prominent aspirants gunning for the APC ticket include, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, the party’s candidate in the last election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Dennis Idahosa, Lucky Imansen and Prince Clem Agba.
Others are Kassim Afegbua, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Victor Eboigbe, Col David Imuse and Gideon Obhakhan.
A reputable Edo APC leader revealed to The Point that the meeting among aspirants and other party leaders and stakeholders was to prevail on some of the aspirants to step down for a particular candidate from Edo South Senatorial District, a move it was learnt other aspirants from Edo Central and North senatorial districts vehemently and unanimously resisted.
A source with outstanding knowledge of the bargain said, “What the leadership of the party is trying to do is to avoid implosion in the party after a flag bearer emerges because the party is determined to make sure that the APC takes over the seat of power in the state in the forthcoming election.
“I wouldn’t want to use the word ‘do or die’ in our bid to reclaim the governorship seat of Edo state but if there’s anything like that, I think that’s accurate. We lost the seat to party squabbles in 2020 but this upcoming election there should be no room for such.”
APC NWC de-emphasizes outcome of screening of aspirants
Meanwhile, the National Working Committee of the APC has de-emphasized the outcome of the screening exercise by the Edo State chapter of the party to prune the aspirants in the race for the party’s governorship ticket.
The party, in a statement at the weekend, said that its Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Election were available for purchase and collection to all interested aspirants.
While the NWC is not against the move by the Senator Adams Oshiomhole-led state caucus to prune the number of aspirants to six, it (NWC) is interested in the money to be derived from the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms.
The 29 aspirants jostling for the ticket will fetch the NWC about N1.5 billion.
But the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement at the weekend said final screening and clearance of aspirants would be undertaken by a committee to be constituted by the party’s NWC in accordance with its constitution.
“Meseko claimed that the party will be headed for disaster if it allows everyone who signified interest to go to the field and added that it would lead to implosion and consequently cost the party the seat”
“As stipulated in the released APC timetable and schedule of activities for Edo gubernatorial election, all interested aspirants are to make prescribed payments into the party’s approved bank accounts.
“They are to collect their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms from the party’s National Secretariat,” Morka said.
The outcome of the Julius Ihonvbere-led panel that approved six aspirants for the party’s governorship ticket will guide the screening process to be embarked upon by the NWC.
Politics not ‘do or die affair’ – Afegbua
In a related development, a former Commissioner of Information in Edo State and one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC in the state, Kassim Afegbua, has backed the outcome of the screening and pruning exercise embarked upon by the Julius Ihonvbere-led panel, which approved six out of the 29 governorship aspirants jostling for the party ticket.
Afegbua, who scaled the first hurdle along with nine others, but failed to make the last six (of two per each senatorial zone on the basis of equity and equality of zones), declared that “politics (ambition) is not a do-or-die affair.”
He was apparently responding to the uproar in the ecosystem of Edo APC, reportedly sponsored by another aspirant who did not make the list, Sunday Anamero Dekeri, aka DANCO.
DANCO and his supporters, as learnt, had created hoopla on the heels of his failure to scale the first hurdle that had produced ten aspirants, let alone to make the list of the final six aspirants, despite his famed war chest, which he had allegedly deployed in the process.
Afegbua, in a response to DANCO’s veiled and overt threat to buy the expression of interest and nomination forms in spite of the decision of the screening and pruning panel, said in a post widely circulated via WhatsApp that “nobody stopped anybody, but the understanding was to prune down the number and we have accepted the six persons; and we are looking at a further pruning down to one person, so they don’t waste money at the national office.
“Tell DANCO to share his money to the less privileged instead of threatening to buy (nomination) form. He should be honourable enough to respect the position of the committee.”
A leader of the party said that it was needless for those who were not recommended to resort to blowing hot air and threatening the party.
According to him, “Whereas, the party leadership has taken notice of the outcome of the exercise and the disposition by others to either accept or reject the outcome, the party has not debarred them from purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms. They are free to go ahead, but that will speak volumes about how seriously they cherish party discipline.”
The party had mooted the idea of pruning down the number of aspirants to achieve a manageable size as against a crowded field going into the contest, which fallout might have implications for unity of purpose and focus on winning the governorship election scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024.
