Politics

Edo guber: Ighodalo, Akpata, Okpebholo in fierce battle to succeed Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

Edo State governorship election is approaching its final stages, with the three major candidates in the race striving to secure enough votes to emerge victorious.

In this analysis, DAILY POST reviews the chances of the candidates ahead of Saturday’s election.

Although INEC listed 17 candidates for Saturday’s election, the contest has taken the form of a three-horse race, with Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, leading the charge.

Apart from these three candidates and others who will appear on the ballot on Saturday, several key figures have significant stakes in the race.

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki are engaged in an open battle to deliver their respective candidates.

Mr Obaseki paved the way for his longtime associate, Ighodalo, in a tightly contested primary, while Oshiomhole is backing his colleague in the Senate, Okpebholo.

This race bears similarities to the 2020 governorship election. However, the emergence of the Labour Party as a third force has introduced an element of uncertainty that could shift the election in a different direction.

Politics of Rotation

Edo State, like other states in Nigeria, is divided into three senatorial districts: Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central.

In terms of the number of local governments, Edo South has the largest, with seven LGAs, followed by Edo North with six, and Edo Central with five.

Since 1999, there has been an informal power rotation arrangement in the state.

In 2007, the ruling party in the state nominated Oserheimen Osunbor from Edo Central after eight years of Lucky Igbinedion.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the ACN, nominated Oshiomhole from Edo North.

INEC subsequently announced Osunbor as the winner of the election; however, the Court of Appeal nullified the result after one year and five months.

In 2016, Oshiomhole supported Obaseki, a candidate from Edo South, when he faced Ize Iyamu, a popular candidate also from Edo South.

Following their fallout, in 2020, Mr Oshiomhole backed Mr Iyamu against his former protégé, but they were defeated.

In the lead-up to the primaries for the current election, there appeared to be a consensus that power should shift to the Central district.

However, Mr Oshiomhole still pushed for an Edo South candidate by supporting Dennis Idahosa during the primaries, but Idahosa was outmatched by Mr Okpebholo. After some reconciliation, Mr Oshiomhole succeeded in having his candidate join the ticket as the running mate.

The outcome of the APC and PDP primaries set up a potential Edo Central matchup.

However, the Labour Party opted for an Edo South candidate, Olumide Akpata.

Akpata’s emergence has divided the Obidient movement, particularly those from Edo Central who believe power should be zoned to their district for equity.

“The three major parties are aware of Edo State’s political inclination. The APC gave their ticket to Edo Central, and the PDP did the same, so why didn’t the LP follow suit?

“There are good men in the LP from Edo Central who worked for Peter Obi during the last election,” FS Yusuf, a prominent Peter Obi supporter, posted on his X handle as he declared support for Mr Ighodalo, the PDP candidate.

Fallout from Primaries

All the major parties experienced fallout from their primaries. In the APC, two candidates claimed the ticket, and it took the intervention of the party hierarchy to prevent an inconclusive primary.

Following the election, President Bola Tinubu also intervened before Oshiomhole’s camp settled for the running mate slot. Since then, Oshiomhole has played a leading role in the campaign.

On the other hand, the PDP had a much more significant fallout, particularly involving Philip Shuaibu, who was later impeached as deputy governor after defying his boss to contest the primary and declaring himself the candidate of a parallel primary. Mr Shuaibu, who is from Edo North, is backing the APC candidate.

The responsibility of countering Shuaibu falls on Omobayo Godwin, a 38-year-old appointed as deputy governor by Mr Obaseki.

Senatorial District Permutations

The APC and PDP have similar arrangements regarding their candidates and running mates. Mr Ighodalo’s running mate is Osarodion Ogie, who hails from Edo South. Similarly, Idahosa, the APC running mate, is also from Edo South.

In contrast, the Labour Party is fielding a Christian-Muslim ticket, pairing Edo South with Edo North. Kadiri Asamah, an Auchi prince, is expected to attract the Muslim vote from Edo North.

Edo Central, with its five local governments, is expected to be a battleground between the PDP and APC.

Similarly, both parties view Edo South as contested territory, despite the presence of Mr Akpata, the sole candidate from the district.

The APC may consider itself dominant in Edo North. In the last governorship election, the party won only five LGAs, all in Edo North.

However, the Labour Party’s decision to choose Asamah as running mate may appeal to Muslims in Edo North, who have frequently complained of marginalisation.

The PDP may use the outcome of the State House of Assembly elections in 2023 as an indicator of its strength in this election.

Although the party suffered defeats in the presidential and National Assembly elections, it secured a landslide victory in the state assembly election.

With Peter Obi not being on the ballot, the Obidient movement may not have the same impact as in the 2023 general election.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate has been criticised by some observers for his lack of eloquence, with some even describing him as ‘not too lettered’ due to his public gaffes.

The state of the economy may also play a significant role in the election, as many Nigerians are angry over the current economic condition.

However, the ruling party benefits from the advantage of “federal might,” a factor that opposition parties, particularly the PDP, have raised concerns about.

It could be recalled that Governor Obaseki refused to sign the peace accord and declared the election a “do or die affair.”

Politics

President Tinubu Transmits to The Senate Lists Of Ambassadorial Nominees

Published

13 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.

Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.

The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS

Published

18 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.

Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.

The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.

The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.

The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.

Politics

I’m Not Playing Politics with Nnamdi Kanu’s Release – Gov Otti Replies Chief Ogbonna

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonna, wherein he called Governor Alex Otti unprintable names and also alleged that Governor Otti didn’t visit President Tinubu to discuss the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but to plan on how to defect to the APC, among other childish verbal attacks.

Chief Ognonna has been unleashing unprovoked verbal venom and vituperation on the Governor, but we chose to ignore him, not only because we have been busy with the task of governance, but because we also know that he is traumatised by the obscurity he was plunged into after the 2023 general election and felt he should be allowed to experience some healing that could help normalise his reasoning.

Ordinarily, we would have still ignored Chief Ognonna’s latest idle tirade and allow him delude himself with fantasies of fury, but because the Nnamdi Kanu issue is both sensitive and very important to this government, we felt we should respond and put the records straight.

In continuation of Governor Otti’s efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s release, the Governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30 2025. This is in continuation of earlier meetings the Governor had been having with the FG on this matter in the past two years.

The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and to the Glory of God, the meeting was both positive and fruitful, as the President was so gracious and generous.

Chief Ogbonna’s allegation of Governor Otti going to lobby to join the APC is both petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible. At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him with joy and excitement. If anything, many notable and respected APC leaders are not just desirous of having him in their fold, but are strongly appealing to Governor Otti to join their party because they know that he is not a liability.

Ogbonna accused Otti of betrayal, but he didn’t say who Otti betrayed, how and when.

He claimed that Otti doesn’t have capacity, yet Otti defeated him in his Polling Unit, Ward and LGA where his PDP Candidates from House of Assembly to President lost woefully.

He accused Governor Otti of inconsistency, yet he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar less than 48 hours after the result of the Presidential Election was announced, in spite of the empty noise and boast he made about the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, all for Atiku’s money when it was needed and available.

He alleged that Governor Otti is playing politics with Nnamdi Kanu, yet, he is angry that the Governor is engaging the FG to secure Kanu’s freedom. Is there anything more contradictory and ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?

At this point, the general public needs to know the genesis of Chief Ogbonna’s anger and aggression.

Having acquired Agbozu Cocoa Plantation when he was in government, the present government decided to reclaim the Plantation which was yielding nothing to the state under Charles Ogbonna. In line with Governor Otti’s policy of operating a government with human face, which sees him pay compensation so as not to hurt any citizen or investor, he approved a compensation package which was paid to Chief Ogbonna. He was excited and full of thanks and appreciation to Governor Otti for the gesture, because he knew he didn’t deserve it. Unfortunately and in line with his insatiable quest for power and money, he thought that another opportunity had opened for him to surreptitiously sneak into the government as he later nominated his son to be appointed by Governor Otti. The Governor flatly declined the request and subsequently appointed another person from the same Ogbonna’s Community, a development that made him feel slighted, diminished and broken and has since then gone out of control, throwing tantrums and hoping to be invited for settlement.

Chief Ogbonna’s problem, like some of his co-travellers is his failure to wake up from his slumber and realise that the era of ruins is over and that Abia has moved forward, never to be dragged back.

His primitive arrogance and mediocre mindset that limit his understanding of government and governance to political appointments, settlement and sharing of public funds without service to the people has so blinded him to the extent that he attacked the Governor recently for awarding the badly broken Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, claiming that the FG had aleady awarded it and thus should not be awarded by the Governor. How could any human being with conscience prefer that his people continue to suffer and die in their numbers just because he feels that building the strategic road would earn the Governor a huge political capital? Ogbonna needs to be reminded that such evil mindset has no place in the New Abia.

Even though Ogbonna’s character deficiency doesn’t position him for any modicum of respect, however, having advanced in age, he is expected to conduct himself honourably and responsibly so as not to attract insults to himself.

Finally, Ogbonna needs to be educated that one of the hallmarks of a great leader is his ability to apply wisdom, emotional intelligence and deploy the instrument of diplomacy in solving problems that have the propensity to impact the security of life and property of the people negatively if handled wrongly.

Governor Otti didn’t campaign with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name in 2023, and doesn’t need to campaign with his plight for 2027, however, he strongly believes that resolving the problem of Kanu’s conviction is one of the ways to achieving peace, security and healing in our land. Unfortunately, Chief Ogbonna is not grounded, both in character and knowledge of the ingredients of modern leadership, hence his kindergarten politicisation of Governor Otti’s engagements with the FG and visit to the President.

Now that Ogbonna has become an errand boy in the APC, he needs to be reminded that he can pursue his stomach agenda without necessarily carrying out this misplaced aggression against Governor Otti, because it makes him look more pathetic than he can ever imagine.

Ferdinand Ekeoma

Special Adviser to the Governor

(Media and Publicity)

December 4, 2025.