Edo Governorship rekindles Oshiomhole, Obaseki supremacy battle

In the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole, has a score to settle with Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is completing his second term in office. After things fell apart between them, both men are now locked in a battle for supremacy and the control of the state. As their parties’ candidates lock horns in a fierce election on September 21, only rigorous adherence to the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines could guarantee free, fair, transparent, and credible election, writes Olaolu Bilau…

Edo State voters go to the polls this September to elect a new governor. The incumbent, Godwin Obaseki is pushing for his anointed, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Asue Ighodalo to succeed him. Governor Obaseki’s former benefactor, now political archrival, ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole, has teamed up with Obaseki’s estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu to work for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

Thus, the real battle for the soul of Edo State is not between Ighodalo and Okpebholo, but Governor Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole, now representing Edo North in the Senate.

The Edo 2024 governorship election is a rematch of the 2021 contest. It’s outcome should settle the supremacy battle between Oshiomhole and Obaseki.

Obaseki won the first round in 2021. He dumped the party that brought him to power, the APC, after he fell out with Oshiomhole. Against all odds, he defeated the then APC governorship candidate, Pastor Ize Iyamu, who had the backing of Oshiomhole. That election pitched Obaseki and Shaibu against Oshiomhole.

But now, tables have turned. Oshiomhole and Shaibu are this time in the same camp, up against Obaseki. The build-up to the electoral contest has been violent. The political atmosphere in the state is charged. The killing of a police man, attached to Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), points to the potential for a troubled polls ahead – Only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies could save the day through the conduct of a free and fair election.

The electoral umpire, INEC, has assured voters of a hitch-free election. The Commission met with leaders of political parties on Thursday 29th August, to deliberate on preparations. Among the issues discussed was compliance by political parties with the upload of Polling and Collation agents to the INEC dedicated portal.

On Tuesday 10th September 2024, the Commission will conduct a Mock Accreditation of voters to test-run the deployment of BVAS for the election as well as the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Twelve Polling Units in six LGAs across the three Senatorial Districts of the State have been designated as centres for the exercise.

The National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar will oversee the signing of the Peace Accord for the governorship election on Thursday 12th September 2024.

The Peace Committee will monitor compliance with the code signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process, including INEC and the security agencies.

The signing of the Peace Accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting on Wednesday 11th September 2024 in Benin City. The meeting to be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police will be a forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election.

A new Commissioner of Police has been posted to the state. He assumed duty on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Before his deployment, CP Edwin-Iwo was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Intelligence in the Force Intelligence Department, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

However, despite all the measures being put in place ahead of the election, only strict compliance and implementation of the Electoral Act, 2022 and INEC Guidelines will guarantee a free, fair, transparent and credible election in Edo State!