…Police restrict movement, ban unauthorised security
Finally, residents of Edo state go to the polls today to elect a new governor for the state, following the winding up of incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki’s two-term tenures. CHIZOBA OGBECHE and PATRICK AHANOR preview the election in this report.
The governorship election in Edo state scheduled to be held Saturday has, to all intent and purposes, attracted keen interest of observers and stakeholders from within and outside the state, following months of tense political campaigns.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election would be held simultaneously across 4,519 polling units and 192 ward collation centres in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Parties, eligible voters
18 political parties and their candidates contesting the election are:
Uwaifo Osaro — Action Alliance (AA), Aner Aliu — Social Democratic Party (SDP),
Azena Azemhe Friday — New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),
Osifo Isiah — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Ugiagbe Sylvester — All People Movement (APM), National Restoration Movement (NRM) and
Areleogbe Osalumese — All Peoples Party (APP).
Others are: Akhime Afere — Action Democratic Party (ADP); Udoh David — African Action Congress (AAC);
Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP);
Ighodalo Asuerinme — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP);
Osirame Edeipo — Boot Party (BP);
Iyere Kennedy — Accord Party (AP);
Obazele Agbone — African Democratic Congress (ADC);
Olumide Akpata — Labour Party (LP);
Okpebholo Monday — All Progressives Congress (APC);
Key Ndidi — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and
Okungbowa Ovbokhan — Young Progressive Party (YPP).
The chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said at a stakeholders’ meeting that the Commission had published the final list of candidates, noting that “however, there are two adjustments to the list.
“By court order, the Commission has replaced the running mate to the candidate of the Labour Party. Similarly, the National Rescue Movement (NRM), which could not file its nomination on schedule, has obtained a court order to compel the Commission to include the party on the ballot.
“We have complied with the court order. Consequently, 18 political parties are now participating in the 2024 Edo state governorship election,” he said.
There were conflicting reports of some candidates who reportedly announced their withdrawal from the election, and declared support for the APC candidate. INEC records, however, indicated otherwise.
Nonetheless, the parties’ candidates are expected to battle for the votes of 2,629,025 registered voters who are in possession of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
According to the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mr. Sam Olumekun, “the collected PVCs represent 85.57 per cent of the total registered voters, with 379,245 PVCs.”
Candidates’ strengths, weaknesses
Although there are 18 political parties contesting the election, three major parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP) candidates’ profiles and strengths are tops.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo, was a member of the Economic Team during ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.
Ighodalo, 64, hails from Edo Central Senatorial District. He entered the governorship race with an impressive resume, having served as chairman of Sterling Bank and the Nigerian Breweries.
This is the first time Ighodalo would be seeking elective position in the state, having ridden on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s incumbency factor to emerge as the candidate of the PDP.
Ighodalo also came into the race without political baggage. Political observers are of the view that he would majorly be banking on the support and development strides of Obaseki to sway Edo voters because of his seemingly new public visibility in the state.
Nonetheless, political analysts are of the belief that the PDP candidate may also have to contend with aggrieved members of his party as issues arising from the fallout of the PDP primary election are yet to be addressed.
Besides, individuals who have scores to settle with Obaseki have left the PDP and joined the opposition party, while others reportedly extended the same to Ighodalo’s ambition.
“Ighodalo has not offended anybody, but we will stop him because Obaseki is playing god,” Osamede Imiefan, a PDP chieftain, said.
Besides, there is also the ‘Lagos boy’ taunt – a phrase being popularised by the opposition APC, suggesting that there had been a disconnect between Ighodalo and the people because he has lived and worked in Lagos.
The phrase gained momentum following a viral video, during which Ighodalo engaged the service of an interpreter in a meeting with his kinsmen.
However, analysts are of the opinion that governance or government businesses are not done in local dialects.
Nonetheless, the PDP candidate would have to secure overwhelming majority votes from Edo South, a Senatorial District with 52 per cent voting population, to ensure a victory, as the Edo North is believed to be Oshiomhole’s APC stronghold.
APC’s Okpebholo
Like Ighodalo, Senator Monday Okpebholo, 54, of the APC hails from Edo Central Senatorial District. The first-time senator won his first elective contest during the 2023 general election. Before Okpebholo ventured into politics, only the PDP had consistently won in the Senatorial District since 1999.
Okpebholo’s perceived humanitarian work in the district even before indicating his interest to seek electoral contest largely endeared him to the people.
Even though the senator holds a degree in Business Administration, his apparent non-proficiency in English language and the gaffes during his campaigns are believed to be the PDP and LP’s gains.
Be that as it may, the APC enjoys the support of many who are of the opinion that English Language is not a pre-requisite for delivering good governance.
With the backing of Oshiomhole in the Northern Senatorial District, Okpebholo would hope for substantial votes from Edo South voting population to be sure of victory and battle for votes with Ighodalo’s PDP in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Akpata’s LP
The resurgence of the LP in the state’s political space is believed to have had a severe impact on the PDP, especially at the 2023 general election where the LP won the Senate and two House of Representatives seats in the PDP stronghold of Edo Senatorial District.
The LP candidate, Barrister Olumide Akpata, 52, has to all intent and purposes demonstrated capability during his political campaigns.
However, observers believe that he may have to contend with the leadership crisis in the party, coupled with the divisions in the ‘Obidient Movement.’
Besides, apart from showing significant presence in Akpata’s Edo South Senatorial District, observers are of the opinion that the Labour Party has left much to be desired in the other Senatorial Districts after the 2024 general elections.
Petition tribunal
Meanwhile, the president of the Appeal Court, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has constituted the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for the state ahead of the election billed for Saturday.
She said, “The mandate of the tribunal is to hear and determine petition(s) that may arise from the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.”
He also said the development was in line with the provisions of Section 285 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and Paragraph 133 (3b) of the Electoral Act 2022. This was contained in a statement issued by the secretary of the tribunal, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu.
The statement noted that the Secretariat/Registry of the tribunal “is open to the public, and located at the High Court of Justice complex in Benin City, the state capital.”
It also admonished “anyone wishing to file Election Petition or for further inquiry, should contact the secretary of the tribunal in the above mentioned address.”
Enter the gladiators
The election is officially a contest between the 18 political parties. However, for Obaseki and his erstwhile godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, it is a venue to settle old scores.
While Obaseki may not be in a hurry to forget how Oshiomhole influenced the decision to deny him the APC return ticket for his second term ambition in 2020, Oshiomhole on the other hand is said to still hold reservations on how Obaseki reportedly aided and celebrated his exit as the national chairman of the APC in 2020.
Although Obaseki went ahead to secure the return ticket on the PDP platform, Oshiomhole on the other hand contested and won the Edo North Senatorial election, fillers from both camps suggest that this Saturday’s election will be a case of resumption of unfinished battle.
As the state looks forward to electing a new governor, the stakes are high as observers believe that a victory for either of APC or PDP is by extension a victory for the ‘political gladiators.’
Restrictions
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the restriction of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Election Day.
This is as Deputy Inspector-General, DIG Frank Emeka Mba, and Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Benneth Igweh, are to supervise the election.
A press statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday on the security measures put in place by the Force indicated that,
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has announced comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process during the upcoming Edo off-cycle election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
“In preparation for the election, the IGP has ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Election Day. Exceptions will be made for essential services, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances, and emergency responders.”
According to the statement, “To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the IGP has implemented a ban on all security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres. Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security outfits are prohibited from operating during the election, and the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles is strictly forbidden to ensure a calm environment for voters.
“Furthermore, the IGP has mandated that special attention be afforded to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, aged, and those with mobility challenges, ensuring that polling stations in both urban and rural settings are accessible to all.”
It added that the IGP, through the DIG for Edo governorship election, DIG Frank Mba, “has appealed to citizens to refrain from making prank calls to control rooms and designated help numbers, highlighting that text messages are more effective for operational purposes.”
It disclosed the designated election lines for inquiries and reporting to include: DIG Election, DIG Mba: 07025000383; and AIG Election, AIG Igweh: 09085000029; while the general control room numbers are 08077773721 and 08037646272.
“The already activated joint control room is manned by police and relevant agencies engaged in the electoral process.
“Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may jeopardise the integrity of the electoral process or cause disorderliness in any part of the state.”
The statement noted further that, “The IGP underscores the necessity of adhering to these directives to avert any undue interference and intimidation during the election.
“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are urged to conduct themselves responsibly and in compliance with electoral laws, as any violations or attempts to disrupt the electoral process will be met with the full extent of the law.
“The IGP reaffirms the dedication of the NPF to promoting a safe and democratic environment, noting that through collaborative efforts we can guarantee that the forthcoming elections in Edo, specifically and the future, are held fairly and peacefully.”
