The approach to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State is one that is bound to raise questions for the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The party’s prospects became a challenge after the national leadership of the party kowtowed to the political leadership of the state instead of inclining to the mainstream of the party ahead of the 2023 General Election. The result was an unmitigated disaster that led to the PDP for the first time losing the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
At the peak of the popularity of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor he was unable to browbeat the PDP in the two elections, underlying the popularity of the PDP in Edo State.
It is, however, saddening that the PDP because of the internal crisis it experienced allowed itself to be seriously divided in the 2023 General Elections leading to the unpalatable result.
The question that must now be brought to the fore is whether having learnt its lesson, is the PDP ready to make a change?
It is welcoming that Governor Godwin Obaseki has after much hesitation unbent and started reconciliation with many of the PDP leaders he had in the past been at odds with.
The Christmas Holiday visit to Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice-chairman, South-South of the party is indeed instructive.
It is, however, regrettable that the governor is making peace in his last days in the office for the sole purpose of trying to market the aspirant he wants to make the candidate of the party. However, he cannot cover the faces of the people with this his last-minute charm offensive.
However, this charm offensive towards Orbih and other leaders is misdirected. Obaseki should rather direct his arsenal towards the very man who made it possible for him to win reelection in 2020.
We remember that Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was the leading aspirant in 2020 and had the momentum to win the PDP ticket four years ago.
That aspiration and momentum were, however, cut short after Obaseki had his problems in the All Progressives Congress, APC with his issues with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and he decamped to the PDP.
Ogbeide-Ihama was courted and pressure was brought to bear upon him by high and low within the PDP to yield the ticket to Governor Obaseki who was desirous of a platform for a second term.
It was a patriotic and also a humane gesture from Ogbeide-Ihama to step down for Obaseki in 2020. His action showed that he is not a man of arrogance being ready to concede to superior authorities.
Now with the outgoing governor looking for a lasting legacy especially in political stability, there is no better person to takeover the baton than Ogbeide-Ihama.
Among the reasons Ogbeide-Ihama is best positioned to be the next governor of the state is the fact that he continues to maintain the popularity that thrust him forward as the aspirant to beat in 2020.
Ogbeide-Ihama’s popularity in 2020 came on the fact that he is presently the only one to have won re-election as member of the House of Representatives from Oredo Federal Constituency.
That feat was undoubtedly as a result of his impressive performance as a member of the House of Representatives. It is also significant that he is widely regarded among the mainstream of the party in Edo State.
Ogbeide-Ihama as such is the best route for Obaseki to sustain the legacy of the PDP in Edo State and that is the reason why he should re-incline himself in this popular direction.
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Mani Ekpeneru writes from Abuja
