Edo PDP: How Obaseki Lost It!

The battle for who picks the Edo PDP ticket has intensified with Gov Obaseki backing Asuen Ighodalo to succeed him. The acceptability of Ighodalo across Edo State poses a serious challenge to his aspiration as many party leaders and stakeholders across the state have vehemently opposed his aspiration.

Although some people believe that Gov Obaseki will have his way for his preferred aspirant because of the incumbency factor. Only time will determine this.

Gov Obaseki should understand that the dynamics of Edo 2020 are totally different from 2024. He should be reminded that in 2020, there were internal and external factors that facilitated his victory.

The external support from PDP Govs led by ever vociferous and boisterous Wike isn’t there in 2024. There was a covert support of APC Govs for a former colleague whom they believed was unjustly treated. There was tacit support from the presidency to allow him to complete his tenure. All these external factors are obviously missing in 2024 election.

The internal factors occasioned by the erroneous belief that he wasn’t allowed to work are missing. The sentiment against godfatherism, as well as the goodwill he enjoyed from the people of the state, has evaporated into the air.

A united and virile PDP led by the erstwhile State Chairman and current Vice Chairman South-South,  the Kulukulu 1, Chief Dan Orbih is no longer there.

Notable leaders of the party, including former governorship aspirants like Barr Ken Imansuangbon, Arc Mike Onolememe, Engr Gideon Ikhine, Sen Mathew Urhoghide and many others are no longer in PDP. A core and vital group within PDP, now called legacy group led by Chief Dan Orbih, are fighting to save the soul of the party.

The governor should note that his rugged and committed foot soldiers like Charles Idahosa, the present Dep Gov Com Philip Shuaibu, and some members of EDHA have stayed away from the Governor and his supposed anointed candidate.

The general belief that the Gov has not done well in terms of performance which resulted in the abysmal performance of the party in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections is a pointer to the fact that the party is heading towards a disaster in 2024 Governorship election in Edo if nothing is done.

The governor’s support for a candidate who is unknown, whose voting point has always been in Lagos, further compounded the problem, especially at a time when the people of Edo want a home boy as a governor.

I salute the Governor’s courage and decision to zone the ticket to Edo Central Senatorial District, but I believe there are other qualified home boys like Tony Anenih Jr., John Yakubu than Asuen Ighodalo

If I were the Governor, I would have projected and supported Tony Anenih Jr. as the candidate from Edo Central. This choice would have pacified  Dan Orbih and the legacy group because of his late father, Chief Tony Anenih. I also believe that Tony Candidacy would have received a lot of support and endorsement from National being the son of one of the greatest BOT Chairmen and National Leaders of PDP.

The Governor obviously didn’t manage his victory properly and also didn’t adopt a proper strategy in dealing with issues on the ground.

How a divided PDP will win the Edo governorship election in 2024 remains to be seen.

Austine Okadigbo Writes from Eme-Ora

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