Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, is poised to confront his former godson, Godwin Obaseki, in the struggle for the control of the state’s political machinery.
However, the unfolding drama surrounding the primary election in the state may thwart Mr Oshiomhole’s plans in the latest supremacy battle with Obaseki.
Recall that the APC held a primary election to select the APC governorship candidate for the September election.
However, the primary has produced three candidates as different groups declared separate candidates – namely, Dennis Idahosa, Anamero Dekeri, and Monday Okpebholo.
DAILY POST learnt that Oshiomhole, who was outmaneuvered during the 2020 governorship election by Obaseki, endorsed Idahosa for the governorship ticket, with the support of the party’s national leadership led by Umar Ganduje and the APC governors.
Idahosa, a 43-year-old member of the House of Representatives, representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, is believed to have the backing of his former colleague in the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, the powerful Chief of Staff to the President.
Sources told DAILY POST that Oshiomhole chose Idahosa because he is from Edo South, the senatorial district with the highest voting population in the state, despite the agitation for a power shift to Edo Central.
Idahosa hails from the same senatorial district as the incumbent governor, who is set to complete his eight-year tenure in office.
Many within the state believe that Edo South holds 60 percent of the total votes in the state, although this claim has faced challenges.
There are indications that Obaseki is supporting the former managing director of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, from Edo Central Senatorial District.
Oshiomhole is gearing up for a showdown of Edo South versus Edo Central to regain control of the state.
But the emergence of Okpebholo through a parallel primary has changed the dynamics of the permutation.
The candidate, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, is basing his aspiration on “equity and fairness” because his district is yet to produce a governor since the brief stint of Oserheimen Osunbor from 2007-2008.
Insiders within the camp of the senator told DAILY POST that several meetings were held with other aspirants in the race on the “Edo Central” agenda, with the agenda gaining the support of Ize-Iyamu.
“Senator had a meeting with Ize-Iyamu and was able to convince him on the principle of the rotation of power and the need for a shift to Edo Central to get the opportunity,” Rafat Abdulkareem, one of the associates of Okpebholo, stated.
She said many of the old associates of Oshiomhole also backed the candidacy of the Edo Central lawmaker because they are concerned about the possibility of Edo South having 16 years in power.
Facing a Rivers Experience
Aside from the political permutations, the party may experience a situation similar to the 2019 Rivers State, where the APC was banned from presenting candidates for any election following post-primary election litigation.
Anticipating a situation like Rivers, the National Working Committee of the party invalidated the pronouncement of Idahosa as the candidate and also removed Governor Hope Uzodinma as the chairman of the primary election Committee.
Insiders told DAILY POST that the party was trying to prevent the occurrence of situations like Rivers and Zamfara states with the series of actions taken so far.
It was learnt that Oshiomhole still sees Idahosa as the only pathway to winning the governorship election because Edo Central has very few votes.
The former governor is banking on using Idahosa to deliver Edo South to complement the votes from Edo North, a stronghold of the APC.
While the NWC was meeting, Oshiomhole met with President Bola Tinubu, and after the meeting, he told journalists that the president did not insist on rotation, using Kogi and Benue as examples.
Today, Thursday, the party will be concluding the primary, and the outcome may decide if it’s going to be a proxy war between Oshiomole and Obaseki.