As the fight for Edo State’s Osadebey seat of power heats up, several notable personalities have revealed their intentions, setting the stage for a tense clash on the political chessboard.
We shall be taking a close and critical assessment of individuals from different political parties who have made their intentions regarding their aspiration to become the Edo State governor in 2024 known directly or indirectly.
First, in this piece, we analyse those considered “unserious” contenders who are seen as just testing the waters or seeking political recognition at all costs and are regarded as “Pretenders”.
Top on this list is the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Philip Shaibu.
While pitching himself as a prospective successor, Deputy Governor Comrade Shaibu’s daring aspiration has stirred disagreement among pundits who think it may be more of a disruptive force than a severe run for the state’s number one job, labelling him a potential spoiler.
Despite Shaibu’s seeming popularity and financial backbone, opposition has emerged because of his Edo North ancestry, defying the unwritten power shift ethic that implies it is not his zone’s turn to produce the next governor. The dynamics of justice, equity, and area rotation in Edo overshadowed Shaibu’s bid, presenting it as a spoiler game rather than an actual drive for the governorship.
Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama is also involved. Ogbeide-Ihama, a 44-year-old engineer and politician, has a solid educational background, noble family ancestry, and pedigree. Yet, he lacks tangible achievements in light of his places and positions.
Ogbeide-Ihama, from Edo South, the same ward and local government as the incumbent governor, confronts obstacles related to the perceived requirement for regional balance.
Ogbeide-Ihiama had petitioned the court, requesting that the Governor, who had joined the PDP from the All Progressives Congress, APC, be barred from participating in the 2020 gubernatorial primaries, but was among those who however, stood down in the PDP primary for Governor Godwin Obaseki and withdrew his court lawsuit against Governor Obaseki; hence he derived some sense of entitlement believing that he should be compensated with the party’s ticket at this point irrespective of the fact that the incumbent governor hails from the same LGA as he does.
This ultimately pitched the man who prides himself as the ‘game changer’ against the doctrine of fairness, equity and equality, which is a tip to a political imbalance capable of spurring ethnic conflicts or upheaval in his favour in a state of many ethnic nationalities.
Many watchers believe that he could be playing a game to be on the negotiating table for the next elections, or he could be in pole position to be the candidate of choice in 8 years because he is only 44 years old and the youngest in the political arena as far as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is concerned.
In contrast, from the All Progressive Congress, APC, a former House of Representatives member, Hon. Agbonayinma Johnson Ehiozuwa, emerges as a regarded pretender lacking the clout for a gubernatorial run. Despite addressing concerns about oil theft in the House of Representatives, which earned him some level of recognition which could not fetch him a second term in the House anyway, his aspiration is being met with scepticism due to his poor financial base and lack of structure outside his constituency, casting doubt on its influence and viability. Again, he is from Edo South. Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency, to be precise.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a political veteran with roots dating back to 1988, has a lengthy resume that includes roles as Special Adviser to his Local Government Chairman from 1988 to 1989, Chief of Staff to Dr Lucky Igbinedion, Governor of Edo State from 1999 to 2003, and Secretary to the State Government.
His position as the known sole Pastor in the race in a Christian-dominated state suits him.
Although he has run for governor twice previously, his diminishing influence, serial defeats at the poll, and loyalty issues among his supporters contribute to the perception that he’s a spent force in Edo politics. There have been some growing issues with his strayed relationship with the leader of his party, APC Senator Adams Oshiomhole, where it was alleged that he coordinated the sharing of “logistics” through a former LGA chairman on behalf of the former vice president Yemi Osinbajo to Edo State delegates during the party’s presidential primary. At the same time, Adams Oshiomhole worked for the emergence of President Bola Tinubu. This was said not to have gone down well with the former NLC president, who considered the action disloyalty.
In our subsequent analysis of the political situation in Edo state, as the 2024 gubernatorial election draws nearer, we’ll delve into the rise and fall of the Ize-Iyamu political dynasty.
Some newly elected national assembly members are already considering entering the gubernatorial race—a notion that is not only amusing but also outrageous and an impending political suicide, according to some pundits who argue that they were yet to settle and adequately familiarise themselves with legislative duties for which they were elected before ‘encroaching’ into the state gubernatorial contest.
To be continued…