The emergence of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Godwin Obaseki and his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, has no doubt set the stage for what is obviously a two-horse race, writes Davidson Iriekpen

With the conclusion of the primaries to elect the standard bearers in the two major political parties for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, there is no doubt that the stage is set for contest to begin.
While Godwin Obaseki emerged candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), settled for Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Although there have been discontents in both parties since the emergence of both candidates, it is obvious the two parties might have moved on as far as their choices are concerned.
Obaseki was the Chairman of the state’s Economic and Strategy Team inaugurated by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in March 2009, while Ize-Iyamu, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), is former Chief of Staff and later Secretary to Edo State Government in the Lucky Igbinedion administration from 1999 to 2003.
There is no doubt that with the conclusion of the primary elections, the stage is set for the two candidates in the race, who incidentally are Binis to put all their electoral arsenal at work for the September 10 duel. The Binis, with seven local government areas, constitute about 50 per cent of the population of the state.
There is no doubt that while the APC, which has been in power for the past seven and a half years, may want to consolidate by striving to win the election, the PDP which previously ruled the state for nearly 10 years and now hungry for power, would try everything humanly possible to reclaim the state’s plum job.
While Oshiomhole and other APC stakeholders in the state might boast of victory come September 10, there is no doubt that the emergence of Ize-Iyamu, who is largely seen as well-rooted in the politics of the state as the PDP candidate, makes them uncomfortable. The impression in some quarters is that the PDP candidate, having served as Director-General for the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation during his second term bid for the governorship seat, understands the workings of both the APC and the PDP. A school of thought believes that he would put his wealth of experience to use during the electioneering process, even though there is a counter belief that Obaseki’s position too puts him in vantage edge in terms of policy and administration, having helped to deliver the present administration.
But the governo dismissed this fear last week, when he said the opposition party would not constitute any threat to his party winning the state on September 10. Speaking after Obaseki’s emergence, Oshiomhole said: “Our delegates have spoken. Now, the party will hit the ground running. There is no PDP in the state. Which of the factions? We have one body with several heads, even when they were in the federal we defeated them with all their federal might. So, there is no PDP as long as I am concerned.
“For me, they are lighter than a loaf of bread. But we will go to the election with the hope that there are other parties in the state. PDP is not an issue. I don’t think Edo people will forget PDP’s crimes in a hurry. Not for the next 20 years in this state. Even when you ask young boys and girls in the state, who is responsible for this bad school, they would say it is PDP.
“Who is responsible for this bad hospital, they say it is PDP. Who is responsible for this bad road, it is PDP. Who is responsible for this good road, it is APC. Even children know that. By the time they become 18, they will continue to vote APC and vote against PDP. We have no fear at all. In fact, we will do better in the next election and kick them out of existence.”
With the electioneering now in progress, those against Obaseki believed that Oshiomhole’s preference for him is to cover his tracks and reintroduce god-fatherism into the politics of the state, which he did everything possible to exterminate in the state, when he assumed power in 2008. They also believed that if the Oshiomhole/Obaseki governorship deal works out, Obaseki, as the governor of Edo State, would pander to the whims and caprices of his godfathers.
On the hand, those against Ize-Iyamu accused him of political prostitution, having moved from the PDP to the APC and back to the PDP, and the fact that he once served under a government that left the state worse than they met it between 1999 and 2007.
On the other hand, many observers believe that the APC, which has been in power and also controls the centre would seek to up its game by hinging its campaign on Governor Oshiomhole’s performance in office. Also, considering the nature of the nation’s politics, some are tempted to believe that the party may benefit from its control of the government at the centre.
Besides, there are those who argue that the Binis had in the past lamented their exclusion from national patronage as a result of the state being in the opposition party. The sentiment in some quarters now is that the APC controlling the central government in Abuja and headed by a Bini son, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, as its chairman, would serve the interest of the people better.
But those against the party in the state are arguing that there is nothing special about Oshiomhole’s performance. They accused the state government of massive corruption in the awards of contracts and of running a one-man government. They also accused Oshiomhole of running an authoritarian government, where every decision and approval comes from him.
But whatever argument observers put forward, many believe that the two main parties would have a lot of issues to campaign with, both for and against, and ultimately, the fate of the candidates will be decided by the electorate.
“The people of Edo State are totally disenchanted with Oshiomhole for his draconic and authoritarian style of governance. He alone knows everything. He constantly talks down on people, he bullies and harasses everybody. Come to the state and hear what the people are saying about their governor they once loved, you would be shocked and ashamed. Now, nobody wants to see or touch anything he stands for because he has failed the people,” said a member of the Ize-Iyamu campaign organisation.
Perhaps, this was why Ize-Iyamu recently challenged Obaseki to a robust campaign. The PDP candidate, while congratulating his opponent on his nomination as the APC standard bearer, said he looked forward to meeting him on the field on issue-based campaign that would seek to address hunger, poverty, crimes and unemployment in the state.
The PDP candidate wondered why Oshiomhole was still acting as if he was seeking a third-term in the office. According to a statement by his campaign organisation, “A week after Obaseki emerged as the candidate of the APC, it is interesting to note however that Oshiomhole still speaks as though he is the candidate running for elections. Is Obaseki not a grown man? Why can’t he begin to speak for himself or is this a sign of things to come?’’
CONTINUE READING @http://www.buzorpages.com/2016/06/let-edo-battle-begin.html

Read more @http://www.buzorpages.com/2016/06/let-edo-battle-begin.html