Edo: Pulsating Heart-Beat Towards 2007
Notwithstanding the 'ban' on political campaigns for 2007 elections, preparations and strategising have reached a feverish pitch in Edo State as senatorial districts have emerged the core turfs for the battle for Edo's soul. Omon Julius Onabu reports
Indeed, the tempo of political activities in Edo State has practically reached fever pitch levels that some smart politicians have actually begun to conclude that the 2007 electoral campaigns in Edo State is decided long before the time.
This thinking may not be unconnected with the perception oof politics here as highly predictable, especially against the backdrop of the over-bearing, nay overwhelming influence of a handful of political godfathers in the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Indeed, one is yet to see concrete evidence of a possible power shift, at least, at the level of political parties in Edo State come 2007. As things currently stand, the "opposition" parties must inspire sufficient confidence for the people to believe an alternative party, really ready for the serious business of government, can emerge before 2007. This therefore leaves the contention for aspirations within the PDP wherein the battle for supremacy is already playing between Chief Tony Anenih, Acting Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, and the State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion. While the governor's camp is reportedly insistent on a firm control over succession politics in 2007, Anenih may, drawing on the advantage of the awesome federal might, swing things in favour of his camp. Already, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Adviser to President Obasanjo, is being touted as the anointed son of the Anenih camp, a move the governor's group considers as mission impossible.
The battle for Edo will be interesting because it will test the true strength of Anenih who is generally regarded as Nigeria's biggest political whealer-dealer. From the Second Republic through the aborted Third Republic to date, Anenih has always featured in the equation of who occupies the government house in his state even when it was Bendel (now Edo and Delta). And he is generally regarded as invincible when it comes to political operations in that his candidates almost always win though the method does not often matter. But Igbinedion is set to give him a good run for his antics. As PDP Board of Trustees Chiarman, he is also in a position to wield influence but Igbinedion is the man in charge in Benin at the moment and he will not sit to see Anenih preside over who succeeds him. After two terms of eight years, he would have grown in stature enough to push off any influence from Abuja and he has shown in recent times that he has weaned himself from the Anenih cocoon. Indeed as the outgoing Governor, the stakes would be in his favour to anoint a man of his choice and people close to him attest to the fact that he will do just that. That is where the challenge between him and Anenih would come in since the former police Commissioner is not a man that you easily push off. So whoever the aspirants are in Edo, the real contest will be between Igbinedion and Anenih with the contenders aligning themselves along this divide.
Senatorial Districts as Battle Zones
If only for convenience, the issue of power shift in Edo may be discussed using the three senatorial districts as lines of dileneation of the areas that may be considered culturally and politically contiguous enough to be taken together for the purpose of forming one front towards power shift agitation. One thing that can be said, if the views of certain influential persons in the state is anything to go by, is that all three senatorilal districts are claiming the right to the highesst political seat in the state - that of Governor - come 2007.
Edo South
Edo South, which comprises the seven local government areas of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha and Ego (administrative capital of Benin-City) as well as Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode, has remained the most influential in the state politically.
Although, it may be argued that one of their own actually served as Executive Governor when Edo existed with Delta under the defunct Bendal State, the area has produced Dr. Samuel O. Ogbemudia and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as governors. The incumbent who is doing a second four-year term, Governor Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, is also from Edo South. Yet, the distrct seems quite determined to clinch the position again in 2007, unless the other two district exhibit a greater sense of readiness to snatch it away through productive politicking. As a matter of fact, ex-governor Odigie-Oyegun, albeit sympathisiing with areas that may be considered politically weaker or disadvantaged, came short making this point while speaking with helmsmen in his house recently during his 65th birthday celebration. Commentators like the State Information Commissioner, Mr Charles Idahosa, have been more blunt about the wish of Edo South to hold on to the position of governor. Indeed, if these views are not merely to increase the bargaining power of those expressing them, then the area has a contender in the current Scretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Edo North
Strictly speaking, since the state was created in 1991, Edo North has produced two Deputy Governors. Rev. Peter Obadan (Owan, Edo North) was second-in-command to Odigie-Oyegun, before that administration was truncated after 22 months by the events of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. Governor Igbinedion has maintained a deputy in Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (Etsako), also from Edo North.
In Edo North, Akoko-Edo is widely held to be the most politically marginalized or repeatedly disadvantaged. It has remained the only area that has never experienced any division into more local government areas - the people have never been given a new local government area since the days under the defunct Bendel State.
However, personalities rather than productive issues bordering on the development of the people and state, would certainly determine whether or not there will be power shift in the state in 2007. Edo North has such influential personalities as Deputy Governor Oghiadomhe, Chief Inu Umoru, Chief Yisa Braimah, Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd), Julius Ihonvbere said to have the support of Abuja, and House of Representatives member, Col. Tunde Akogun (rtd) as well as Senator Victor Oyofo.
Edo Central
Edo Central Central has, strictly speaking, produced neither governor nor a deputy since 1991. However, the late Professor Ambrose F. Alli, who governed the then Bendel State, hails from this area. Thus, while those who say it is the turn of Edo Central to produce the next governor, on account of having neither produced a governor or deputy in over a decade of existence, those opposed to that stand-point insist that the senatorial district had produced an Executive Governor in the late Alli.
Edo Central is where Anenih hails from, just like former Vice-President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, (rtd) and Solid Minerals Minister, Mr Odion Ugbesia.
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