With the ban on campaigns lifted effective Wednesday 24 April 2024 in the Edo governorship election, Nigerians expect that the candidates will make their campaigns issues-based rather than some of the same campaigns of abuse of persons, ethnic, zonal, and religious nuances.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday made public the final list of candidates in the Edo governorship election with two of the parties replacing the names of their governorship candidates and four others replacing their earlier submitted names of their deputy governorship candidates.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) substituted its candidate’s name with Mr Izedonmwen Osarenren Derek as the Governorship candidate and Osagie Phillips as the Deputy Governorship candidate while the Action Alliance (AA) replaced its own with Mr Iseghohi Tom and Mr Onaiwu Mabel Osemwonye Nmwan as Deputy Governorship candidate.

The deputy governorship candidates replaced were Mr Osunde Lord Osas for African Action Congress (AAC), Mr Bello Aneru of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Mr Omorogbe Kingsley of the Boot Party (BP) and Mr Isokpan Ihueghan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

With the publication of this final list of candidates, the INEC has signalled that the political parties should commence intensive campaigns for the off-cycle election which will be held on 21 September 2024 and the winner sworn in on 12 November 2024 when the tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki ends.

Issues in the Election
There are multitudes of issues of concern to the average Edo state citizen and they would want the candidates aspiring to succeed the incumbent governor to speak to and reveal their plan for the masses.

Issues of infrastructure, interstate roads, dilapidated government industries, agriculture, and healthcare are expected to dominate the campaigns as they have been the focus of opposition criticisms of the incumbent administration of Governor Obaseki.

Obaseki’s Political Weaknesses
Governor Obaseki came in as a technocrat who did not believe in “stomach infrastructure”. Some people in Edo North (Auchi and Jetu) said the airport the governor promised the area is yet to take off.

His fight with Mr. Phillip Shaibu is also a dark spot on the governor’s white linen. Some people also believe that his inability to reconcile with Mr. Dan Orbi is another blight in his testimonial.

Again, some political pundits thought that he imposed a candidate on the PDP and that many of those who lost were from Edo Central

Where Will the Pendulum Swing?
There are 17 candidates in the race (16 male and one female candidates) but political pundits believe it would be a three-horse race between the three biggest parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP).

In the last presidential election, the Labour Party had a clear lead despite the incumbent governor being of PDP. He took over from Governor Adams Oshiomole of the APC

The top three candidates are Okpebholo Monday of the APC, Ighodalo Asuerinme of the PDP, and Akpata Olumide Anthony of the LP.

Okpebholo
He is a serving Senator. And reputed to be one of the foot soldiers of the late former Minister of Works, Chief Anthony Anenih. He is from Udomi- the Uwessan community of Irrua in the Edo Central Senatorial district.

The former Comrade governor who is a sitting Senator is strong in Edo North and has tremendous goodwill among those he had assisted in getting federal appointments such as Mr Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta from Etsako East, and Mr Clem Agba former Minister of Budget also from Etsako East would work for him.

Edo Central has not had the governorship position for a very long time. The two sons of Edo Central that ever became Edo governor were Prof Oserheimen Osunbor and Prof Ambrose Alli. Prof Osunbor is said to have put issues of the primary election behind him to support the APC candidate.

Akpata
He is a lawyer and former National President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Although he is a new person in Edo politics, yet, the Edo South may say: “This is our own” and thus give him their votes.
Traditional and religious leaders in Edo South have some misgivings against the PDP-led state government in the last eight years and that may make Edo South vote for him.

Ighodalo
Mr. Ighodalo enjoys the support of some leaders in the state. He is a technocrat and is said to be at home with figures.
Mr Ighodalo’s deputy is the current Secretary to the Edo state government and is believed to be a grassroots politician. Mr.Ogie Osarodion, the Deputy Governorship candidate is from Edo North which some political pundits described as a “marketplace” because the APC Deputy Governorship candidate, Mr. Idahosa Dennis, is also from Edo North.

Obaseki’s Achievements in Office
As the Governor prepares to conclude his tour of duty in the Edo state government house, he will be going home a fulfilled man going by the number of things he has been able to do to put smiles on the faces of Edo state indigene and put money into the bank account of the state. Governor Obaseki is finishing stronger and transforming the Edo state economy for unborn children of the state.

His achievements in the last seven and a half years include the 6000 barrels per day Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company (ERPC), located in Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha, and the 2500 barrels per day Duport Refinery run by Duport Refinery Company Limited, in Egbokor, Orhionmwon local government area.

Two ethanol plants were constructed by Greenhill Ethanol plant located at Ologbo in Ikpoba Okha and the Dufil Ethanol plant located in Ovia North East local government areas respectively.

Governor Obaseki said the modular refineries when in operation, will not only help in solving the fuel crisis in the country but will also boost the state’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), stressing that the two ethanol plants which are in various stages of completion would be commissioned before the end of his administration.

He said the plants are expected to produce food-grade ethanol for use in the confectionery and beverage industry as well as create employment opportunities and boost the manufacturing sector.

Others are Ossiomo Power Plant, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Edo State government and Ossiomo Power Company; Edo Tech Park, a software engineering training institute to help actualize the state government’s vision of producing about 15,000 world-class software engineers.

The Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage, Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin Central Park, John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Civil Service Infrastructure, Renovation of High Court Complex, Industrial Court Complex.

Others include the Edo Production Hub, Sapele Road, Museum of West African Art (MOWWA), Edogis, Daisy Danjuma Centre, the Golf Mews, Benin City Mall in Sapele Road, Edo Agric Hub, Education Hub among others.

In January 2024, the governor gave clear instructions for the rehabilitation and construction of 565 roads stretching over 737 km across the state. Some of the residents have noted that the developmental projects have changed the economic and environmental landscape of the state