By Osaigbovomwan Iguobaro
Political parties and their Candidates contesting the Ovia House of Representatives seat and the Edo Central Senatorial District are facing a fusillade of questions from the waiting and undecided electorate, ahead of Saturday’s by-elections.
Political parties that are on the ballot are Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and the ADC.
With the campaigns over, the momentum of politicians’ role in changing the world has spilled from campaigns in the street through door to-door to sitting room conversations as well as greetings with a hug and handshake amongst the various stakeholders.
The stakes are high and there is little to talk about especially where the pendulum will swing. Ovia federal Constituency, comprising Ovia South West Local Government Area and Ovia North East Local Government Area, is where Chief Gabriel Osawuaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin hails from. Chief Igbinedion prides himself as the lion of Okada, headquarters of Ovia Local Government Area.
Interestingly, there is long history behind the reason why Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin is accorded much respect. His vast network, has made Chief Igbinedion a voice that cannot be ignored in the politics Ovia Federal Constituency and beyond over the years.
In the last governorship election, Omosede worked for the APC but lost to the PDP in Ovia federal constituency. Today, the former House of Representatives member in the 8th National Assembly, enjoys the full support of her father in this by-election.
Chief Igbinedion is one of the founding fathers of the PDP but he is now
trying to submit himself to his daughter and candidate of the APC, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion rather than his eldest son and former Governor of Edo State, Mr Lucky Igbinedion in the poll.
Lucky is a die-hard Chieftain of the PDP since 1998 when the party was founded. He enjoys almost the same rating of endorsement with his father from the rural dwellers in the Ovia Federal Constituency.
Leaders of the main opposition party in the State understands the consistency of the former two-term Governor. The PDP made him leader in Edo State brushing aside, Asue Ighodalo, Candidate of the party in the 2023 governorship election.
What seems to be unique in the political chess board is the strong support of Lucky Igbinedion for the
PDP Candidate in the by-election, Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi.
To demonstrate his love for the PDP, Lucky did not show up anywhere to campaign for his sister, Omosede Igbinedion.
In addition, his commitment to Aikpitanyi’s mandate is seen as a threat, but for the popularity of the State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.
The deputy Governor hails from Ovia South West LGA. Idahosa won the House Representative seat twice before he was nominated to be running mate to Monday Okpebholo.
Again, Lucky Igbinedion’s workers-friendly relationship made him a force to reckon with and a political figure.
He employed many workers into the State Civil Service. Besides, his generosity has endeared many political actors to him.
In Edo Central Senatorial District, the ADC candidate, Hon Sergius Ogun, is a former two-term member of the House of Representatives for Esan North East/South East Constituency. He previously contested in the 2024 LP governorship primary before joining the ADC.
Governor Okpebholo is in the lead for the just concluded APC campaign in Edo Central Senatorial District. He is fully in support of the party’s candidate, Joseph Ikpea. This is the first election Okpebholo will lead since he took office last year.
The PDP settled for Joe Okojie as its Candidate in the Edo Central Senatorial District. Some interest groups and kingmakers had questioned the rationale behind the zoning arrangement in APC during the primary.
Speaking during the final campaign in Edo Central Senatorial District on Thursday August 14th, Governor Okpebholo, urged voters in the area to vote the APC.
Unexpectedly, he expressed regret over the logistics challenge that delayed the rescheduled visit of the national Chairman of Nigeria ruling APC to the State, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
TheNewspad investigation revealed that the palatial residence of the Esama who is said not be in sink with his son’s posture in the election, is turning into beehive of private meetings by top political associates to override opposing interests and forge stronger ties in navigating the murky water for the victory of his beloved daughter.
But the alarm raised on the eve of the election by the State chapter of PDP on the possibility of INEC with APC to rig the election, a move election labelled by a political analyst as a ‘farrago of absolute nonsense and propaganda stunt’.
All eyes are firmly on the electoral umpire — INEC to deliver on its pledge of free and fair election. But, whatever direction the pendulum swings, winners in the contest are expected to fulfill their electoral promises and make greater impact with two years to come as elected Representatives and avoid poisoning the goodwill of the voters in the election.
