As the Edo State governorship election approaches its final stages, the competition centers around three leading candidates: Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC.
Although INEC listed 17 candidates, these three have emerged as the frontrunners.
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki are backing their respective candidates, Okpebholo and Ighodalo.
This race echoes the 2020 election, but the emergence of the Labour Party as a major force adds uncertainty, potentially altering the dynamics.
Edo State operates an informal power rotation between its three senatorial districts: Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central. With many anticipating the governorship would shift to Edo Central this time, the Labour Party’s decision to field an Edo South candidate, Akpata, has caused division within the party, particularly among those who believe the governorship should rotate to Edo Central.
The PDP and APC both selected candidates from Edo Central, while their running mates hail from Edo South.
Labour Party, however, introduced a Christian-Muslim ticket, with Edo South’s Akpata paired with Kadiri Asamah from Edo North, aiming to attract the Muslim vote in Edo North, a region that has often felt marginalized.
Political fallout from the party primaries has also shaped the race, with the APC and PDP facing internal disputes, particularly involving the likes of Philip Shuaibu, who defected from the PDP to support the APC.
While Edo South remains contested, Edo Central will likely see a battle between the PDP and APC. Edo North, historically dominated by the APC, could also swing depending on the Labour Party’s appeal to its Muslim electorate.
Economic conditions and dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs may influence voter sentiment, though the APC has the advantage of “federal might.”
Governor Obaseki has already raised concerns about the fairness of the process, declaring the election a “do or die affair.” The result remains unpredictable, given the factors at play.
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