The Edo State gubernatorial election holds this Saturday, September 21. The political atmosphere is charged. The Federal Government has banned the Edo State Vigilante Network. Some politicians have been arrested and taken to Abuja. All these, once again, prove Hans J. Morgenthau correct: “Politics is the struggle for power”.
There are many political parties struggling for the soul of Osadebey Avenue, Edo State seat of power, come November 12, 2024, after the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki.
But, I think only three of the political parties would make a significant impact in this Saturday’s election – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP).
The LP candidate is Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata. He is 51. He was born October 7, 1972. A renowned lawyer, Akpata was the first non-Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 28 years to be elected President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He has a large followership. However, two issues will count against him. First, if Peter Obi had won the 2023 Presidential Election on the platform of the LP, Barrister Akpata’s chances would have been brighter. The cult-like followership of Mr. Peter Obi during the 2023 Presidential Election is not the same for Barr. Akpata.
Secondly, there seems to be an unwritten consensus among Edolites that the next Governor should come from Edo Central. This is because since the inception of the fourth republic, in 1999, Edo Central has only produced a Governor, Professor Osariemhen Osunbor, whose tenure was short lived (less than two years). This is in contrast with Edo South Senatorial District, which has produced two governors, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and the incumbent, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, with a combination of almost 16 years.
Edo North Senatorial District has produced a governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for eight years. Although Akpata’s dance steps are very attractive, they will not be enough to count for him as electoral votes. Equity and fairness in favour of Edo Central will speak against him, because he is from Edo South Senatorial District.
The APC candidate is Senator Monday Okpebholo, aka Akpakomiza. He is a politician and businessman from Udomi-Uwessan, Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government Area and represents Edo Central in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Okpebholo was born August 29, 1970. He is 54 and a protegee of one of Nigeria’s masters of the game, Mr. ‘Fix it’, late Chief Tony Anenih. Senator Okpebholo broke protocol by becoming the first Senator to be elected on the platform of the APC in Esan land. Some factors will count for him in this election. His party, APC is at the Centre.
Secondly, as a Senator for over a year, he is in a position to tell Edolites what he has done for them since he started occupying the exalted position. However, two major albatrosses accompany him. He is a member of the APC, a party allegedly accused of bringing untold hardship on Nigerians. Some of his traducers accuse him of sometimes speaking ‘bad grammar’ and lacking the intellectual wherewithal for the exalted position of a Governor, especially that of Edo State. Okpebholo is also accused of being media-shy.
However, spearheading his campaign is former two-time Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. Comrade Oshiomhole’s talking point for Senator Monday Okpebholo is that the latter would build on his legacies and ‘big grammar’ has never translated to good governance.
The candidate of the PDP is Asuerinme Ighodalo. He is a lawyer and businessman. He is 65 years old. He was born July 19, 1959. He is from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area. He is not known to have contested for any political office hitherto. His dossier is intimidating. He was chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, among others. He also sat on the Boards of other public and private companies, Non-Governmental Organizations and statutory bodies, including Okomu Oil Palm Company.
Apart from his mouth-watering credentials, another major boost for his candidacy is the Governor Obaseki factor. Though Ighodalo seemed to have imbibed the sweet-talking spirit of most politicians in his campaigns, telling them what he intends to do as Governor, he is complemented by promises of Governor Godwin Obaseki that Barrister Asue Ighodalo would continue from where he stops on November 12. In this campaign, no major maligning has been brought against him. However, those who will not vote for him pinpointed their decision on the ‘wrongs’ Governor Obaseki did or what he did not do.
On Saturday this week, it is expected that Edo voters will come out en masse and cast their votes. No voter should assume that a political party has won before the election. If a ‘saint’ contests against ‘satan’ and on the day of an election, supporters of ‘saint’ think he/she would win but refuse to come out and exercise their franchise, ‘satan’ would win. Biblically, Jesus Christ, our Savior fed 5,000 people. But, on the day of His crucifixion, Pontius Pilate was democratic to allow the crowd to choose between Christ and Barabbas, a murderer. Supporters of Barabbas won by ‘voting’ for Barnabas to live; where were the 5,000 people Christ fed?
On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has to ensure that Saturday’s off-circle Edo 2024 election is free, fair and credible. Similarly, security agencies must be on top of the situation. The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has declared that 35,000 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and 8,000 personnel from other security agencies will be on ground. These 43,000 officers of the law should be apolitical, maintain law and order and ensure that voters are not intimidated.
Finally, the recent political chaos in some parts of Edo State was uncalled for. The electorate should realize that politicians, irrespective of political parties, are a class. They all want power. They know where they meet and hobnob. Sometimes when they are at daggers drawn point, it is the ‘sharing formula’ for themselves that is the bone of contention. Who would have thought that Comrade Philip Shuaibu would abandon his ‘brother’, Governor Obaseki, following their irreconcilable differences, rejoin APC and mend fences with his uncle and benefactor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole? Did you not see a recent video where the Vice President, Kashim Shetima of APC, Atiku Abubakar of PDP, Peter Obi of LP, and Musa kwakwanso of NNPP were all in one vehicle heading to Katsina to pay condolence visit to the Yar ‘Adua family over the death of their matriarch? For Political Historians, the immortal lines of the Prussian/German, Otto Von Bismarck remain evergreen – ‘there is no permanent friend or enemy in politics but interest.’
As an electorate, be wise! Do not put yourselves in harms’ way for a politician but ensure your votes count.
