Edo State’s highly anticipated governorship election begins in less than 24 hours as major contenders are locked in the last minute scheming and political maneuvering to clinch the coveted seat.
Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged all stakeholders in the Edo state governorship elections to respect the will of the people in their ability to choose their leaders.
Tinubu gave the charge in a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“President Tinubu urges the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will. He believes in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders,” the statement said.
While calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be impartial in their conduct, President Tinubu said all the parties must endeavor to conduct themselves “peacefully and sportingly.”
As the Edo governorship election approaches, it’s crucial for voters and observers alike to understand the key aspects shaping this important political event.
Here are ten quick facts that highlight the context, candidates, and implications of the upcoming election, ensuring you’re well-informed as the decision-making day draws near.
Election Date
The Edo state gubernatorial election is scheduled for Saturday, 21st of September, 2024. The election will be held across all the local government areas of the state.
Number of Political Parties
Sixteen men and one woman are contesting for the prestigious position of governor of Edo State. While many are in the race, only three candidates have been actively campaigning. Here are the contestants and their respective parties: Iyere Kennedy – Accord Party (A); Iseghohi Tom – Action Alliance (AA); David Udoh Oberaifo – African Action Congress (AAC); Derek Izedonmwen Osarenren – Africa Democratic Congress (ADC); Kingson Akhimie Afeare – Action Democratic Party (ADP); Monday Okpebholo – All Progressives Congress (APC); and Isaiah Osifo – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Other are Odaro Ugiagbe – Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Amos Areloegbe – Action Peoples Party (APP); Edeipo Osiariame – Boot Party (BP); Olumide Akpata – Labour Party (LP); Friday Azemhe Azena – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Asuerinme Ighodalo – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Patience Key Ndidi – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Abdulai Anerua Aliu – Social Democratic Party (SDP); Paul; Okungbowa Ovbokhan – Young Progressives Party (YPP); and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Number of LGAs
Edo state has 18 local government areas divided into three senatorial districts.
Edo Central senatorial district has five LGA – Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Esan Central.
The Edo South senatorial district covers seven LGA – Oredo, Ovia South West, Egor, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha, and Uhunmwode local government areas.
Edo North senatorial district comprises six LGA – Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East, and Akoko Edo. The headquarters (collation centre) of Edo North is Auchi in Etsako West LGA.
Registered voters
Edo state has registered 2,501,318 voters with 373,030 uncollected permanent voter cards. With this number, a lot of persons are expected to turn up for the elections due to the growing numbers of registered voters in the state.
Number of collected PVCs
INEC has recorded an outstanding number of 2,128,288 collected PVCs which shows how enthusiastic the people of Edo state are towards politics. This number of collected PVCs will reflect greatly on the outcome of the elections.
Major contestants
Edo governorship election is usually contented between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). But with the Labour Party’s inclusion, a lot of dynamics are expected to come into play in this election.
The frontline candidates are Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo of the APC, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party.
Zonal dynamics
The APC and PDP candidates are both from Edo Central which had only assumed the office of the deputy Governor in 1999 and the office of the Governor only for a short term between 1979 and 1983. While Akpata is from the populous zone, Edo South, which makes it even more unpredictable.
Emergence of the 11th governor of Edo
The 11th governor of Edo will emerge through the election and will be sworn in on November 12, 2024.
Key players in the Edo Governorship election
The election will be significantly shaped by the following key figures, given the state’s political dynamics.
Obaseki
Eight years ago, Godwin Obaseki rose to power as the Governor of Edo State with the overwhelming support of his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole. However, their alliance later crumbled, leading to significant political fallout. In the upcoming election, Obaseki is lending his backing to Asuerinme Ighodalo, hoping to replicate his earlier success.
Whether Obaseki can single-handedly secure Ighodalo’s victory, as Oshiomhole did for him, remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the support of an incumbent governor is crucial for any candidate’s chances, given the substantial political machinery, resources, and influence that come with the office.
As Obaseki fights for his own political survival, he is determined to ensure his chosen candidate emerges victorious in Saturday’s election, signaling that he will leverage every advantage at his.
Adams Oshiomhole
As a two-term governor and current senator, Adams Oshiomhole is a significant force in the Edo governorship election. His influence earned him the position of chairman for the APC campaign council in the state. Oshiomhole originally supported Godwin Obaseki but their relationship soured, leading Obaseki to leave the APC for the PDP during his re-election bid in 2020.
Political analysts view the upcoming election as another showdown between Oshiomhole and Obaseki, as both seek to assert their dominance. Oshiomhole’s visibility in the campaign, often surpassing that of the APC’s candidate, underscores his pivotal role. Recently, he sparked controversy by questioning Obaseki and his wife’s parenthood in defense of the APC candidate, intensifying the political rivalry.
Gabriel Igbinedion
Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, recently celebrated his 90th birthday, drawing political leaders to his home seeking his blessings for the election. The father of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, he possesses significant political and financial influence, positioning him as a key player in the upcoming election.
During his birthday celebration, Oshiomhole publicly sought forgiveness from Igbinedion for past grievances, acknowledging the crucial support he received from him in the past.
Philip Shaibu
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has become a critical figure following his fallout with Obaseki and subsequent support for the APC candidate. Previously a PDP governorship aspirant, Shaibu argues that his support for an opposition candidate is within his rights, emphasizing the freedom of choice in political endorsements. His shift in allegiance adds another layer of complexity to the election dynamics.
Lucky Igbinedion
Following in his father’s footsteps, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion remains a charismatic force in Edo politics. Although he left office in 2007, his influence continues to resonate, making him a notable player in shaping political outcomes in the state.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu
A prominent grassroots politician, Osagie Ize-Iyamu has previously run for governor and served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo State Government. His deep-rooted political connections and experience in the state position him as a key influencer in the election, particularly after he endorsed the APC candidate following his withdrawal from the race.
These key figures are poised to shape the narrative and outcomes of the upcoming Edo governorship election, each wielding their influence in distinct ways.
Likelihood of violence
Since the incumbent governor declared that the election is a ‘do-or-die’ affair, observers identified eight of the LGAS as violence-prone. They include Ikpoba/ Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Esan East, Etsako West and Etsako East.
