...Ighodalo as an advocate of peace and unity, a work in progress because the more the number, the merrier…
As a no-nonsense, fair, and unbiased analyst, I would not be wrong to conclude that it is the end of the road for the nine members of the Noble Movement.
A few days ago, I wrote an article titled “Attacks On Ojezua Are Unnecessary.” In that piece, I mentioned that Barr. Anselm Ojezua is being pushed forward by other eight (8) aspirants to outsmart him. So, I was not shocked when I read on social media that one (1) of the nine (9), Hon. Barr. Omosede Igbinedion has decided not to appeal Ward Congress.
Of course, I am not a fan of this young lady but I think, she is smart and has already achieved her purpose of buying the form albinitio.
In no distant time, some others may follow. And in the name of boycott, the remaining are unlikely to participate in the primary. One sure thing, the majority of them already know it is the end of the road in their ambition to pick the PDP ticket for the Edo 2024.
Whoever is still in doubt must be reminded that the owners of a political party are the members of the National Working Committee headed by the National Chairman. In this case, the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary must rely on the recommendation of the National Organizing Secretary for their onward communication to INEC on the matter of Edo 2024 in consideration of their relationship with the State leadership of the party and in this instance, the State Chairman and State Organizing Secretary will suffix.
By the party constitution, no matter how powerful and influential is the National Chairman, the NOS is like the Supreme Court in election matters in PDP, whatever is the position of the NOS, it is final. This is why the National Chairman must work with NOS to enable the NC to have a say. The job of the National Secretary here is to write a letter that will be counter-signed by the National Chairman when dealing with INEC and of course, he will have no option.
As of today, neither Mr. Tony Anenih, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Mallam Umar Bature, or Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum has a reason to reject or jettison the results of the PDP Ward Congresses held in 192 Wards in Edo State on February 4, 2024. The justification of all those who have appealed is like a basket being used to fetch water. You may ask me, how?
My answer is simple; I will say, stop giving hope that won’t come. Yes, I read somewhere where someone petitioned based on an allegation that a man or two signed off a document supposedly in an election conducted in 192 Wards. I was like, what is wrong with that? The situation is simple.
Two electoral officers were sent to each of the Wards. There was the State Coordinator or Chairman. However, the system is already aware that one person cannot be in all the 192 Wards at the same time and decided to make provision for each of the Wards. There were two officers in each of the 192 Wards. The two officers each in the 192 Wards have presented their respective reports to the State Chairman/Coordinator for the assignment.
The State Chairman/ Coordinator for the assignment generates a comprehensive report based on the reports coming from the Wards and submits same to the central body. So, what is wrong with this? This means the case will be dismissed. If it were in the court, the petitioner would be fined for wasting their time.
It is already being assumed that all the delegates in the 192 Wards are likely to vote for the Man Wey Sabi, Barr. Asue Ighodalo. Of course, the three from my Ward, that is, Ward 1, Esan Central LGA will even close their eyes and vote for Barr. Asue Ighodalo because that is the mandate we gave to them.
So, Barr. Asue Ighodalo is likely to have 192×3+18=594 votes while others will all score zeros. Let’s be a little generous even though I know the delegates will not want to take any risk, let’s give other free 10 sites each. This means Asue will still score 504 votes against 90 for them all. This means the end of the road for members of the Noble Movement.
Let’s have fun a little. Among the nine, one has already said she is not appealing the Ward congresses. One may return to his position in the party to complete his term in office. One actually wants the Deputy but too much wahala from everywhere. One is used to decamping to another party each time he is not given a ticket.
One may stage manage running to SDP (but will risk losing his position hence, still looking at all options), One is actually for the sake but na very nice woman sha who planted as DG. One thinks the politics in Nigeria is like in UK or USA where how much grammar you can speak will determine your votes.
One is now missing it by trying to say, for all I did for the Captain and Captain don dey vex. And the other one na my old friend, he is used to picking tickets from other political parties and each time we nor dey know wen e return and of course, has worked with the Committee of Governors. Truly, Ighodalo needs them all.
It is my humble opinion that even though it is the end of the road for the members of the Noble Movement, Barr. Asue Ighodalo should not stop being an advocate of peace and unity. What makes a man is his ability to remain consistent with his beliefs at all times.
I strongly believe that when Man Wey Sabi continues in what he has started, whether or not, members of the Noble Movement decide to accept joining the moving train, God will reward Asue Ighodalo with victory in the September 2024 election. I say this because God is the rewarder of hard work. When he continues in his efforts to reconcile everyone, whoever decides otherwise, will have to contend with God because “no man is God.”