Edo 2024: The Best Candidates Ever & The Hurdles to get to Osadebey.

Edo state has been identified in Nigeria as an election special state. The reason behind this positive tag comes from the fact the people of Edo State cannot be swayed from their truthful minds when it comes to elections. Looking back at our most recent governorship elections in Edo 2020, Edos validated that claim by showing Adams Oshiomhole how livid they were that he had tried to undermine their intelligence. They gave immense support to the then underdog, Godwin Obaseki and the rest is history.

Forward to 2024, which will be the last year of the Obaseki governorship in Edo State and opposition to his style of governance has surely thrown up the best candidates Edo State has ever had going into an election.

With Godwin Obaseki, many Edos will judge the Governor’s performance as good, pointing out his civil service reforms, the Ossiomo power plant, the industry attracted to the state and his response to security challenges. But many other observers have also pointed out a huge list of promised developments that were not delivered and many programmes that were left in limbo under the Obaseki administration. His EDO best and health insurance schemes are not what he claims they are, a lot of Edo roads are worse than 8 years ago, Gele gele Seaport was not touched, Benin airport is still local to name a few. At the end of 8 years of Godwin Obaseki, the perception among Edos is that he was “Disrespectful to all the notable dignitaries in the state and the PDP has lost focus as a result of that”. Edo 2024 is a moment to either try to refocus, but if not, then there is a real risk that 2020 will repeat itself in 2024, except this time Edo people will be chasing out a new Godfather in Godwin Obaseki.

The truth is Godwin Obaseki has finished his tenure, and Edo is in the process of looking for a new Governor to navigate its path to success. The primaries are now complete so let’s look at the Edo 2024 Governorship aspirants from the three main political parties in Edo State.

Asue Ighodalo PDP:

PDP, which is the ruling party, have settled for another technocrat in Asue Ighodalo. If zoning is considered, then Asue has an advantage. His background indicates he is financially vibrant with a proven track record of success in the Nigerian banking sector. Asue’s strong points are simple, he is from the preferred region and can attract investments to Edo State via his background. The challenges he faces include shaking off the tag as the “Chosen one” from Godwin Obaseki, which will make the Governor a Godfather, and this might not sit well with the Edo people. Asue Ighodalo is also not politically tested, he is a non-resident in Edo state and seen as an outsider within his own party the PDP. If you factor the fact that he already has a lot of enemies in influential positions based on Godwin Obaseki’s style of Governance, you will find Asue’s work is cut out trying to convince party faithfuls and the people that he is not like Godwin Obaseki. Having said that, all is not lost because Edo people who like Godwin Obaseki’s achievements will surely be rooting for AI. Asue must start revealing his plans and policies for Edo state, and becoming his own man rather than simply saying he will continue from where GO stopped. Where is that exactly?

Sen. Monday Okpebholo APC:  Like Asue Ighodalo if zoning is considered, Sen Okpebholo has an advantage of being from the favoured Zone of Esan Central – the region of choice preference.  Little is known about Monday Okpeholo except he is a politician, a two-time serving senator from Esan Central and a fresh face on the scene. The advantages of Sen Okpeholo include being a “homeboy” one is not sure yet how much that will translate to votes.  Monday Okpebholo is in a big party with big issues, the APC, and they are ruling in the federal capacity. Yes 2020 decimated APC in Edo state but this time they are counting on the political enemies from Godwin Obaseki & PDP to take them back to the top. However, there is also a huge division in the APC which they must work on. If PDP puts their house in order, Sen Monday will have to come up with some very good plans to sell to the Edo people to stand a chance in Edo 2024.

Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata LP: With his stage entrance of “who’s your guy” Olumide, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association is targeting the youths. Olumide is from Edo South which has the biggest population in Edo State. Mr Akpata is very clever and very connected, in Benin and across Nigeria.  Olumide’s advantage includes his heritage, he is from Benin and the Benins are the majority tribe in Edo State. The challenge Olu is facing is that even amongst the Benins a huge number of them want the Governorship to go to Esan Central. He is also not fully resident in Benin and his first name is not a Benin name. Olu will have to win over a considerable number of Benins who are happy with Godwin Obaseki’s style & performance and will want to back Asue to continue. Olu has the numbers in the Benins, but his plans and policies are going to be just as important.

In the Edo Diaspora, there is a nagging feeling that the conversation in Osadebey avenue does not reflect the one being held across the diaspora. The Edo diaspora Involvement in 2024 will be just as pivotal as 2020 if not more. In 2024, The Edo Diaspora are looking for a Governor that will finally invest in the aging population of Edos in Diaspora who have given all they have to support families in Edo state due to bad governance. We want to participate and give our new generations of Edos in diaspora a chance to be a part of and contribute to the development of Edo state.  An Edo Diaspora commission, selected and run by diasporans, to achieve the above objective is now paramount. There is something about the intensity of that feeling today that Edo 2024 candidates would be wise not to ignore. The candidate who shows a greater understanding and commitment to this plight will get the Edo diaspora support.

We expect all the above candidates to make their case direct to the Diaspora before September 2024 voting.

The Editor