Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Former Etsako West council chairman and ardent supporter of Senator Adams Oshiomole, Chief Lucky James, has been chosen as the head of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Campaign Council in the Local Government Area.
The appointment is considered strategic due to the importance placed on the victory of the PDP’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
Part of the former council boss’s brief is to leverage his influence in the council area to drive the Asue Ighodalo’s campaign and ensure that the PDP secures a significant percentage of lawfully cast votes during the election.
Recall that that Etsako West LGA is the stronghold of the opposition APC in the Edo North district and the local government area of the APC state leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomole.
The former Chairman of Etsako West local government area was part of the team that built the present APC from the Action Congress (AC) and, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
Chief Lucky James was previously a strong political ally of Senator Oshiomole before they parted ways over political intrigues at the peak of last year’s National Assembly elections in the state.
He served as Special Adviser and later commissioner of Local Government Affairs in the Oshiomhole’s administration.
Chief Lucky James hails from the Uzairue clan and belongs to the same political ward as Comrade Oshiomole.
The expected clash between these two political figures, who were once friends, will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the Gubernatorial election in Etsako West.
Political analysts have praised the PDP for selecting a thoughtful and clear-headed politician to lead the Etsako campaign.
Chief James derived his popularity in Etsako West LGA during his tenure as council chairman where he sited projects in almost all the wards and villages.
At the inauguration of his Campaign Committee, Chief Lucky James, a holder of highly traditional title in Uzairue Kingdom, expressed optimism and promised that the APC’s dominance in the local government area would come to an end, and Asue Ighodalo would emerge as the top candidate.