As the Independent Electoral Commission and some political parties released the guidelines for the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria, the political game has started generating tension in Edo state
First, the political battle between the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and a former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has sharply divided the party in the state.
Secondly, the Oshiomhole, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Pius Odubu, Pally Iriase factors have also fictionalised the APC in Edo State.
Now, in Edo state there is no going be a governorship election in 2019 but State House of Assembly and National Assembly.
BATTLE IN APC, EDO SOUTH
The former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and APC Edo South senatorial candidate in the 2015 general election, Hon. Samson Osagie, seems to be favoured by majority of APC members in the senatorial zone, but sources close to the outspoken and gentle lawyer said he would watch unfolding events before taking his decision.
However, there are permutations that the current Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, may drop his position as SSG to run for the Edo South senatorial ticket; while the PDP governorship candidate in the 2016 governorship election in Edo state, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, who recently joined the APC, will take over as Secretary to the State Government.
But for those who also have the senatorial ambition like Hon. Patrick Obahagbon, and former deputy Governor to Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Pius Odubu, the highly rumoured defection of current Senator Matthew Urhoghide from PDP to APC is giving both Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki sleepless night. Why some of the senatorial aspirants are loyalists of Oshiomhole, others are seen as “the backbones” of Obaseki. If the discussion between Senator Matthew Urhoghide and Governor Obaseki materialises, then, other aspirants are in trouble, because the only condition allegedly given to ‘defection negotiators in Abuja’ by Senator Urhoghide, to make him cross from PDP to APC, is to give him the APC senatorial ticket, come 2019.
EDO SOUTH PDP SENATORIAL TICKET
There has been some confusion among the PDP faithful in the South senatorial zone, as the Chief Don Orbi- led State Executive of the party has zeroed in on Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu, PDP governorship candidate in the 2016 election in the state, for the zone’s senatorial ticket.
This arrangement, according to inside sources in Senator Urhoghide’s camp, does not go down well with Urhoghide and his followers. This has reportedly prompted the senator to open talks with some APC chieftains in Abuja and Governor Obaseki, on possible move from his current party to the APC.
EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL TICKET
This senatorial zone which seems to be controlled by PDP is gradually losing it membership to APC, on a daily basis.
Senator Clifford Odia is the current senator representing the zone on the platform of PDP, but the recent defection of Hon. Joseph Akhabue, former National Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, from PDP to APC, is a clear signal that the days of Senator Odia is numbered in the National Assembly.
Akhabue, a former council chairman and a businessman that has his businesses across the Edo Central senatorial zone is loved by his people.
EDO NORTH SENATORIAL TICKET
This zone is seriously in controversy, as it is rumoured that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is planning to run for Senate, having allegedly failed in all attempts to unseat Chief Odigie-Oyegun as National Chairman of the party.
The current senator for the district, Francis Ailemikhina, is planning a come-back; same with Hon Pally Iriase, the current member of the House of Representatives from the area. Professor Julius
Ihonvbere, the immediate past Secretary to the State Government is interested too, while Comrade Peter Akpatason is not left out in the race. Now, who gets the senatorial
ticket?
