Edo: Intrigues As Obende, Ihonvbere, Obahiagbon Lose Out

Oshomole                                           Obahiagbon                             Ihonvbere                                                   Obende

For a long time, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State had always said to anyone who bothered to listen that “whoever offers himself for any electoral contest must know that there are two possibilities; either you win or you lose.” The December 8, 2014 senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the three senatorial districts of the state was an eye opener to many, and one that will give vent or shape the factors that will determine the governorship race in the state come 2016. The Iyanmoh-born politician and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will bow out of the Osadebay Avenue Government House in Benin City at the end of his eight years in office as governor in 2016.

The comrade governor has proven his mettle in governance. He has demystified powers that be in the state. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are better tale bearers in this regard. He has silenced the opposition and critics through records of performance in various sectors to overhaul the once impoverished Edo State.

He is still taking further steps to rewrite the history of the state in order to put his name on the sands of time. The red roofs, network of roads, electricity, human capital development; adequate welfare for the workforce and prudent management of resources laced with improved revenue base and several others, are laid bare by his administration for all to see and put him on the scale. Above all, he is the protagonist of the nation’s now singsong ‘One Man, One Vote’ that has variously been demonstrated in different states.

However, while this concept is awaiting further tests as Nigerians march towards the 2015 general election, there seems to be unresolved questions arising from the recently conducted House of Representatives and senatorial primaries of the APC in the state.

The exercise no doubt, was peaceful, free and fair but not without leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many over a reported last minute masterstroke and high level political overtures that almost pitched some of the aspirants that lost in the contest against key persons in government. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where delegates from Edo South converged to elect a candidate, there was alleged high level political overtures by elements in the Oshiomhole’s government to skew the process in favour of a choice candidate, even though Oshiomhole had earlier assured all the contestants of a level playing field. It took the persuasion of some delegates to calm frayed nerves before accreditation could commence at about 3:15p.m. The exercise went on till late in the night amid a tension soaked environment despite the heavy presence of security agencies.

The incumbent Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Raphael Samson Osagie representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency, emerged the candidate of the party. According to results declared by the chairman of the Electoral Committee for Edo State, Mr. Macdonald Obasuyi, Osagie polled 1,120 votes out of 2, 212 votes cast to defeat Patrick Obahiagbon (Igodomigodo), the former member who represented Oredo federal constituency in the green chambers of the National Assembly and presently the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Oshiomhole who scored 894 votes in a keenly contested exercise.

Obahiagbon who was touted as the governor’s choice, having worked closely with him this few years, lost due to what sources said was “protest votes” occasioned by anger of most people who felt disappointed by an attempt to arm twist them at the 11th hour. Also, the incumbent lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Jim Adun, scored 162 votes while popular advertising guru, Erabor Emokpae polled 28 votes. In Edo North where the state governor hails from, there was a groundswell of anger and political brickbat as some sections of the area deployed ethnic agenda that schemed out the incumbent Senator Domingo Obende who hails from the minority Akoko Edo area.

Obende scored 198 votes to place third losing to Mr. Alimikhena Francis who polled 831 votes and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who came second with 815 votes. The calculations here by forces within the north zone was that with Oshiomhole’s exit in 2016 not much would be left for the Etsako/Owan who are in the majority and therefore it was only right that they deploy their strength to get what they want. Further permutation was that flowing from the tactics of the opposition PDP in the north senatorial district, which gave the party’s ticket to Mr. Pascal Ugbome also from Etsako ethnic nationality, APC stakeholders in Etsako/ Owan felt it would be wise to use one of their own to alter whatever grand plan PDP is hatching.

That plot was what shored up Francis to rob Obende of the bid to return to the National Assembly for the second time come 2015. The incumbent senator, it was gathered, saw the secret overture as a slap on his person and the Akoko Edo people who since the existence of Mid-West region, Bendel State and now Edo State have not had a shot at the nation’s upper chambers.

Sadly too, the Etsako/Owan ethnic and political agenda that played up against the minority Akoko Edo people during the epic battle has been a recurring occurrence that the Akoko Edo ethnic nationality have had to contend with in the politics of the state.

The agrarian area reputed for its mysterious and historic hills, prides itself as the oldest of the nation’s 774 councils and Obende is the first to have a shot at the Senate after the tenure of Senator Yisa Braimah who hails from Owan federal constituency.

However, one major issue that cost Obende’s second term bid was his alleged inability to deliver the member representing Akoko Edo in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oloruntoba, who is among the three APC legislators and loyalists to Governor Oshiomhole who met a political brick wall during the state House of Assembly primaries. Their failure to get re-elected is one great undoing of leaders and members of the party in the affected constituencies. Others who lost in state Assembly primaries included Ehio Ezemo (Owan West constituency) and Sunday Aghedo (Ovia South West). It was gathered that leaders of the ruling party were said to have been given a marching order to deliver all the APC lawmakers as a reward for their dogged fight to sustain democracy and support for the governor.

Furthermore, the intrigues included the calculations of Oshiomhole’s men who positioned Chief Frank Inegbenekhi to stop Theophilus Okoh, a businessman who has laboured over time for the party. But delegates were said to have preferred Inegbenekhi to Okoh. Inegbenekhi was able to muster enough delegates that launched him to victory despite sharing the same Esan blood with Okoh. Dramatically too, Ihonvbere who until recently was the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) announced his resignation from the state executive council. With Ihonvbere’s sudden resignation, it was clear that all may not be well within the ranks of the ruling APC in the state.

It is expected that the worst is yet to be heard from the controversies that trailed the outcome of the party’s primaries in the state. Strong indications have emerged of the possibility of aggrieved leaders and other contestants who were schemed out of the primaries to leave the ruling party as time progresses. It was learnt however that the professor of Political Science and former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo may not leave the ruling party after all. Source said he does not want to be linked with any form of political conflict and rumbling with the powers that be in the state, having learnt his lessons the hard way from the outcome of the primaries.

But Oshiomhole has since accepted his resignation from the cabinet as SSG and thanked him for his services to the government and the state. It is feared that now that the party primaries are over, there are likely to be realignments and close watch within the ranks of the party as stakes ahead of the main battle gain momentum.

Whether all the candidates will sail through following the ill feeling from losers and others whose interests have not been accommodated is a big question Governor Oshiomhole will provide answers to. Though, knowing his mien and character in battlefields, Oshiomhole is not a push over.


source: newtelegraph