Edo PDP In Shock As Ogbeide-Ihama Emerges APC Running Mate

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State is heading into disarray following reports of the choice of one of its leaders and former governorship aspirant, Engr Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the Edo 2024 governorship election

GWG.ng gathered that the choice of Ogbeide-Ihama as the APC gubernatorial running mate is being considered as a major blow for the PDP given the awesome influence he wields within the Legacy Group of the ruling party in the state.

Ogbeide-Ihama was the leading contender for the PDP governorship ticket in 2020 before pressure was brought on him by the party’s governors led by Nyesom Wike to step down his bid in favour of Governor Godwin Obaseki who had been denied the opportunity of a return ticket by the APC.

He was again a major aspirant for the 2024 ticket until controversies over the selection of ad-hoc delegates forced him to withdraw his bid.

His choice as running mate to the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo is expected to deny the PDP of the grassroots support that had in the past led the party to win elections across the state.

GWG.ng reports that the decision of the national headquarters of the PDP to tilt support for the Obaseki slate of candidates in the 2023 General Election forced the Legacy Group led by Chief Dan Orbih to stay away from the elections leading to the rout of the party in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The party, however, recovered in the House of Assembly elections after Governor Obaseki let out a cry that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole could inspire his impeachment if the PDP does not control the state legislature.

Speaking on the development, Efosa Williams, a leader and community leader in Benin city in Oredo local government area said, “I can assure you, the entire Legacy structure in PDP in the state, will automatically collapse into APC. That is where we are going now.”

A party leader named Jimmy Adesotu in Benin City said the choice of Ogbeide-Ihama was a master stroke for Senator Okpebholo. “Ogbeide-Ihama is a household name in Oredo, Edo south and in the entire state. This combination is fantastic,” said Adesotu.

Before the arrival of Ogbeide-Ihama on the table, the APC leadership had also considered former Chairman of Oredo Local government council; Honourable Osaro Obaze and Honourable Idahosa, for the same position.

Obaze was one of the 14 House of Assembly members denied inauguration into the State House of Assembly by Governor Obaseki in 2019, while Idahosa lost out in the primaries to Okpebholo.

While the APC is said to be working round the clock to complete the reconciliation process following the highly contested primaries, inside sources say the political solution being adopted was already yielding result.

“I am aware that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole hugged my leader yesterday at the hallow chambers. That’s the spirit of sportsmanship which Oshiomhole has always canvassed,” the source stated.

With additional reports from Metrowatch Extra

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