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2015: APC, PDP In Battle For Soul Of Edo by unuane1(m): 6:10am On Sep 14, 2014 |
In a couple of weeks from now the political terrain in Edo State, like most others, will be charged, as politicians and their supporters line the streets with campaigns posters of every colour and size. The political gladiators in the state are billed to mount the soap box, first to secure their party’s ticket for the either Senate, Federal or state constituencies of the Representatives or Assembly respectively in the 2015 general elections, in line with guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Only then, will the engage candidates of opposing political parties for the various seats next year. The gubernatorial election in Edo State will not be due until sometime in 2016. A similar scenario played out last time in 2011, when the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had an edge over the other parties, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), winning comfortably in all most of the constituencies, in what turned out to be a two horse race between it and the PDP, its main opposition in the state. Of the 24 house of assembly seats at stake, the APC won 20, leaving the PDP with a paltry four. The APC under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the State Governor, also won six of the eight House of Representatives’ seats contested for, while of the three senatorial seats available APC clinched two, leaving one for the PDP. By mid-2012 when the gubernatorial poll was conducted, the incumbent, Comrade Oshiomhole defeated his PDP counterpart in all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state. Early this year when the local government councils poll was conducted by the state- controlled Independent Electoral Commission, the APC won all the chairmanship seats, just as it lost only a few councillorship seats to the rival PDP. However, since then, as they say, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. The political equation in the state has changed considerably. The first setback that the APC suffered was the defection of some key leaders of the party, led by the influential erstwhile Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to the PDP. This, keen observers of the situation in the state believe, was an aftermath of the party’s congresses across the wards, local governments and even at the state level. This later snowballed into the defection of five of its members in the house of assembly, all of who also decamped to the PDP. Many also believe that the era of a single party securing a landslide victory in an election in the state is gone. They are of the opinion that if an election is held today in the state, the two prominent political parties will have an equal share of the elective positions on offer, or a situation where one of the duo would have a simple majority of seats. For instance, in the seven local government councils that make up Edo South Senatorial District comprising- Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia South-West and North-West, Egor, Uhumwonde and Ikpoba- Okha, it is believed that the APC, based on the support of the royal fathers in the area may still retain its stranglehold. But this time however, it will be by a slight, rather than wide margin. Some of the factors likely to help ensure a good showing for the PDP in the state’s largest senatorial district and home to over 52 per cent of the population, in any case, include the caliber of its leadership and also its likely flagbearers. Even then, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s factor in the politics of the state cannot be easily wished away. When he switched over to the PDP, he left with the larger chunk of his supporters from the senatorial district. There are also other heavyweights in the party like the Esama of Bini Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, who clocked 80 last week. He is father of Lucky, who governed the state between 199 and 2007. His daughter, Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, is interested in being a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ovia Federal Constituency on the ticket of the PDP. There is also Captain Hosa Okunbor, a billionaire, 56, considered one of the richest men of Benin origin, who is also a notable card carrying member and major financier of the PDP. In the Edo North Senatorial District where Comrade Oshiomhole comes from, Professor Julius Ihonvbere (the incumbent Secretary to the State Government), Senator Domingo Obende and a host of others are still very relevant in the politics of the state, and will do all that is necessary to ensure that the APC is not embarrassed at the polls. The current state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Obih, who also hails from the zone, will nonetheless give the APC stalwarts a good fight, in collaboration with Chief Mike Ogiadhome, former deputy governor and chief of staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, among others. The PDP secured the only senatorial seat and all the four house of assembly seats credited to it during the 2011 polls in the Central Senatorial District, homestead of the Esan speaking people of the state. From all indications, it’s most likely the party will perform the same feat in the forthcoming polls. Ugbesia’s contenders One factor that the party has going for it is the fact that it has as members some of the top guns of the politics of the area. On the list are the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; the Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolememen; Senator Odion Ugbesi and Hon. Friday Itulah of the House of Representatives. With no vacancy in the Denis Osadebey Government House in Benin until 2016, he battle for Edo Central Senatorial zone ticket of the PDP promises to be keen, going by the personalities jostling for it. Interestingly also, most of the candidates are known to be protégés of, and are touted to have been anointed by Chief Anenih, popularly known as the “godfather,” and “Mr fix it.” The race for the party’s ticket, according to those who know, is expected to be among Onolememen, Clifford Odia, as well as the incumbent- Senator Odion Ugbesia, who is keen on returning to the upper legislative chamber for a third term. While Onolememen is seen as a possible candidate in the race to replace Oshiomhole at Government House in Benin, in 2016, his ambition would clash with that of Pastor Ize-Iyamu, among others in the party who are yet make any announcement. This will be Ordia’s third attempt at getting the PDP Senatorial ticket, which those who know says he feels he is ordinarily “entitled,” to after beating the incumbent in the previous primaries before being compelled to concede to Anenih’s choice. Also in the fray is Egheomhanre Eyieyien, accountant, financial analyst, chief executive of Lagos-based Pharez Consulting and self-styled ‘apostle in the market place.” Eyieyien who has taken time over the past months to comments on his plans for the people of Esan Central at the senate, and the need for them to have a better lease of life on social media, noted last week that whereas the other three contenders are quite close to the godfather, he is not. Other differences that set him apart from his co-contenders, he wrote on Facebook last week include the facts that “they are old members of the PDP. I just joined the party two weeks ago.” Continuing, he said: “I will even need a waiver to be allowed to contest in the party’s primaries for the Senatorial seat, given how long I have been a member. Do I stand a chance?” He however hopes to meet Chief Anenih soon, just as he expressed belief that the elder statesman “understands that the dynamics of politics in today’s Edo State, nay Nigeria, have changed. The era of godfathers imposing candidates are over. I believe he will see that I am the best candidate if PDP is to retain the Senatorial seat.” Continuing, he stressed: “I represent a New Righteous Order in Nigeria’s political terrain. As a professional Accountant who has been a business entrepreneur since 1998, I understand that Nigeria’s renaissance shall be achieved only by the emplacement of truly people-focused programmes which will ensure that we have the public utilities and infrastructures that encourage formation of private capital and the mass creation of employment through investments in micro, small and medium enterprises. “I am a social democrat but my values are conservative and rooted in my strong Christian faith for which I have no apologies. “I believe that Nigeria’s posterity can only be assured if we promote justice, truth, equity, good governance and the rule of law in our polity.” His promise: “As a Senator, I will champion legislation that will strengthen our war against corruption, ensure higher budgetary allocations to education and health, and promote fiscal federalism. “I have no fears about my chances. PDP people are intelligent and politically savvy. More importantly, Esan people are enlightened and forward-thinking. Despite the odds against him, he however ended the short piece with a belief in the ability of God to change any situation, because He “rules in the affairs of men,” and then his slogan and a note of hope: Esan di fure! Nigeria di fure! (It will be well with Esanland! It will be well with Nigeria!)” http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/09/2015-apc-pdp-battle-soul-edo/ |
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