Since his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo has continued to soar in acceptance and popularity across various demographics.
Recently, Asue Ighodalo recorded an emphatic lead in a poll of registered voters in the state conducted by EBDA and audited by BusinessDay newspaper.
The results of the poll published on Monday morning by BusinessDay show that a total of 1,179 registered voters resident in the state were surveyed. Ighodalo garnered a commanding 68 per cent of respondents who indicated that he is their choice if the election were held today. This puts him well ahead of all his competitors by a very wide margin.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, came a distant second with 18 per cent of the intending votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata was only able to garner 14 per cent to place third. The three political parties are seen as the frontrunners in next month’s election.
The poll, conducted on August 6th, 2024, sought to understand voters’ intentions by simply asking, “Who would you vote for in the Edo governorship election?”
Besides, investigations also revealed that while a high percentage of voters (95.9 per cent) have collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs), only 73.1 per cent expressed willingness to vote, according to the report by BusinessDay.
The available data also highlighted a gender disparity among those likely to vote, with 68 per cent of potential voters being male and 32 per cent female, despite the INEC voter register showing an almost equal distribution between the sexes.
Zoning as an issue also features prominently as 61.2 per cent of respondents supported the idea of rotating power between different regions in Edo State. Only 14.8 per cent opposed the concept, while 24 per cent chose not to answer.
Managing Director of EBDA, Sharon Orisakwe, observed that support for zoning, while still a strong factor, has, however, dropped by 16.8 per cent from the 78 per cent support for the idea respondents indicated when EBDA polled in January.
“Zoning remains a hot button issue ahead of the Edo governorship elections; and may in part explain why the first and second ranked candidates are from Edo Central, the region where supporters of zoning believe the next governor should come from,” she said.
She also stated that the most critical issues for the next governor to address, according to respondents, are the increased cost of living (46 per cent), road infrastructure (36 per cent), and insecurity (18 per cent).
Notably, the poll also found that political party membership is low among respondents, with only 19.6 per cent identifying as party members, while 68.7 per cent claimed no affiliation. About 11.7 per cent of respondents declined answering this question.
According to the report, the poll employed proportionate, stratified random sampling, ensuring a representative sample drawn from the current INEC Voter Register. Conducted via randomised telephone interviews, the poll has a margin of error of 3 per cent and a confidence level of 95 per cent. Its reliability was confirmed through a test-retest process in five randomly selected local government areas, which yielded consistent results.
Factors responsible for Asue’s rising popularity
The PDP governorship candidate seems to be enjoying more solidarity from the people of Edo State following his robust manifesto that is tagged “Prosperity For All”, and how he has been going round the state, meeting the people at the grassroots and granting interviews across various media platforms.
Ighodalo’s impressive professional background has been a major contributing factor to his rising popularity. As a lawyer and founding partner of Banwo & Ighodalo, one of Nigeria’s leading corporate law firms, he has built a reputation for excellence and integrity. His experience in corporate governance and advisory roles in various sectors, including finance, energy, and infrastructure, have positioned him as a candidate with the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of governance.
A central pillar of Ighodalo’s campaign has been his clear and strategic vision for economic development. He has outlined plans to revitalize the state’s economy through industrialization, infrastructure development, and support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). His proposals to enhance the agricultural sector by promoting export commercialization have particularly resonated with rural voters who see this as a path to economic empowerment and job creation.
Unlike many political figures who rely heavily on top-down campaigns, Ighodalo has invested time and resources in grassroots engagement. He has made several visits to rural communities, listening to the concerns of the people and incorporating their feedback into his policy proposals. This approach has helped him build a strong connection with the electorate, who view him as a candidate who genuinely understands and prioritizes their needs.
Ighodalo’s campaign has garnered support across various segments of the population. His appeal extends beyond traditional PDP loyalists, attracting independents and even disillusioned voters from other parties. His ability to build coalitions across ethnic, religious, and social lines has been a key factor in his rising popularity.
The Ighodalo campaign has been noted for its strategic use of both traditional and digital media to reach voters. The campaign’s messaging, which emphasizes transparency, competence, and a commitment to good governance, has been well-received. Additionally, Ighodalo’s team has effectively used social media platforms to engage younger voters, a demographic that is increasingly becoming crucial in Nigerian elections.
No doubt, Asue Ighodalo, who is a frontline candidate for the top job at Osadebey Avenue, has made himself so accessible to the people. His slogan which says “E Go Do Am” also resonates with Edo people as it comes as a firm commitment that he would deliver on his promise and take Edo State to a higher level from where outgoing Governor Obaseki will stop.
The PDP governorship candidate’s rising popularity is a result of his strong professional background, clear economic vision, effective grassroots engagement, broad support base, and an adept campaign strategy. With these elements in place, Ighodalo appears to be on track to clinch the coveted numbeer-one seat of Edo State. He is seen by many as the candidate capable of driving significant positive change in the state.
