As the political calculus continues to shift and recalibrate in Edo state, following the defection of Governor Godwin Obaseki from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no fewer than 10,000 members of the APC in Igueben LGA, on Saturday defected to the PDP to join Obaseki and his deputy, Phillip Shuaibu in the main opposition party.
The defectors, from the 10 wards in Igueben LGA, were received by PDP leaders in the LGA, in what was a political show of force by the governor. While presenting party membership cards to the defectors, the PDP LGA Chairman, Liberty Ugboh, thanked them for their foresight in joining the PDP, and assured them of equal treatment like any bona fide member of the party. Amongst the most notable high profile defectors include: Edo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, John Osagie Inegbedion; Executive Chairman Igueben Local Govt, Dr. Josie Ogedegbe ll; member representing Igueben constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Ephraim Aluebhosele; Edo State Deputy Chief of Staff, Kingsley Ehijamusor; Eson of Igueben Kingdom, Queen Sarah Eluojierior (SA gender).
The political tour de force came amid efforts by PDP bigwigs to clear the field for Obaseki, to emerge unopposed during its primary scheduled for Thursday, June 25. PDP sources in Benin City told Huhuonline.com that sustained pressure is being mounted on the three other contenders for the PDP governorship ticket for the September election, to step down but so far only Gideon Ikhine seems disposed to the idea of stepping down for Obaseki. The other two; Ogbeide-Ihama and Kenneth Imasuagbon, have so far refused to budge and a meeting between them and PDP leaders ended in deadlock on Saturday.
Ahead of the opening of the primary process, Obaseki yesterday met with Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Hon. Aminu Tambawul and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt yesterday, to strategize and join forces with the Edo state PDP to persuade the three aspirants that Obaseki’s defection to the PDP was a game-changer and they should therefore step down in the overall interest of the party.
PDP sources in Port Harcourt told Huhuonline.com that the main purpose of the meeting was for Wike to prevail on the immediate Edo PDP past chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, said to be the political godfather to Ogbeide-Ihama from Edo South senatorial district and Imasuagbon from Edo Central; to prevail on them to step down for Obaseki. Orbih is the political leader in the zone and Wike and Orbih have a very long history and close personal ties and it is believed through Orbih, Wike would make them an offer they cannot refuse.
Huhuonline.com gathered that before stepping down for Obaseki, Imasuagbon and Ikhine are trying to extract unanimous consent from all the political stakeholders that the 2024 governorship slot be zoned irrevocably to Edo Central senatorial district to produce the next governorship candidate. They argue that Edo South has produced Lucky Igbinedion who governed for eight years while Edo North produced Obaseki’s predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, who also ruled for eight years. The only time Edo Central produced the governor was Oserheimen Osunbor, whose election was annulled by the election tribunal that installed Oshiomhole. This time around, Edo central is insisting that before their sons step down, there should be a concrete agreement zoning the position to them in 2024.
Once this issue of contention is resolved, it is obvious Obaseki will have a smooth sail to the PDP nomination given that the spokesman for the Ikhine Campaign Organisation, Edo Restoration 2020, Tony Okonigene, said in a statement that they had urged their principal to ensure that Obaseki was elected governor on September 19; and Ikhine will make that decision public today, Monday. “In reaching his decision, Ikhine will take into consideration the overall interest of the party and the future wellbeing of Edo State above his personal ambition,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) approved the nomination of Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed, as the chairman of the Edo primary committee. Other members are Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mattawale and Senator Uche Ekwunife.
A statement by PDP national Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akubundu, said Hon. Solomon Bulus Maren will serve as committee secretary.
