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In a fiercely contested race that captivated the hearts and minds of Edo State residents, the governorship election held last Saturday has drawn the curtains on an intense political battle.
With results announced on Sunday by the Returning Officer for the election and the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Faruq Adamu Kuta, the leadership landscape in the South-South state is set to shift dramatically, with dramas and defections likely to happen.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, there are 2,629,025 registered voters and 4,519 polling units in Edo State. Of this figure, 2,249,780 (85.57%) have Permanent Voters’ Cards.
As winners celebrate their hard-fought victories, some familiar faces grapple with defeat, leaving the political arena buzzing with implications for the future.
In this piece, PUNCH Online dissects the winners and losers of the keenly-contested election, revealing the stories behind the ballots that will shape the future of Edo State for the next four years.
Winners
1. Monday Okpebholo
Following his declaration by the electoral agency as the winner of the Edo governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as the most obvious winner.
The Governor-elect solidifies his position as a rising star in Edo State politics, propelling him from relative obscurity to a commanding role in governance. Okpebholo’s campaign emphasised infrastructure development and economic revitalisation.
Okpebholo’s success is a personal triumph and a signal of the electorate’s desire to shift leadership dynamics. The former Edo Central Senator will lead the Heart Beat of the Nation for four years, with residents expecting good governance.
2. Dennis Idahosa
Another winner in the just-concluded poll is the running mate of Senator Okpebholo and a former member representing the Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dennis Idahosa. During the campaign, Idahosa, who is now the deputy governor-elect, claimed that as an individual, he had done more for the Edo people than Governor Godwin Obaseki.
3. Adams Oshiomhole
Former Edo state governor and the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole, is a major winner of the election.
The former president of the APC and the National Labour Congress once again demonstrated his enduring political prowess in the South-South state. After being sidelined for a while in the state, Oshiomhole bounced back as a formidable political force.
Oshiomhole’s efforts in supporting key candidates in this election have solidified his standing within the party, restoring his influence in Edo politics.
4. Philip Shaibu
The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, undoubtedly emerged as one of the biggest election winners.
Shaibu faced challenges before the Edo House of Assembly impeached him. He was also engaged in many disputes with Governor Godwin Obaseki leading up to the election. However, his political manoeuvres and sagacity allowed him to maintain his influence.
His defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC has been tipped as one of the moves that solidified the party’s victory in the just-concluded election. Shaibu’s ability to balance loyalty to his party while managing internal disputes has positioned him favourably for future political roles within the state.
5. The APC
Okpebholo’s victory is also significant for the APC, cementing the party’s influence in the state. Despite internal divisions within the party, the APC managed to unify behind Okpebholo, presenting a formidable challenge to the opposition.
The former win reinforces the APC’s hold in the region, giving the party momentum heading into future state and national elections.
Losers
1. Asue Ighodalo
Ighodalo, a former Chairman of Sterling Bank and the PDP governorship candidate in the Edo election, faced a major political blow during the poll, which made him the top loser of the election.
Despite his background and influence in business circles, Ighodalo failed to secure the necessary backing and alliances needed to elevate his political standing in Edo State.
His loss underscores the complexities of transitioning from business to politics, particularly in the cutthroat environment of Edo’s elections. The failure of Obaseki to settle his differences with major political actors in the state contributed to Ighodalo’s defeat.
2. Osarodion Ogie
Ogie, the former Secretary to the State Government and running mate to Ighodalo, was one of the losers of the election. The former SSG, who is a grassroots mobiliser and an experienced politician, failed to bring his several years of experience in politics to bear in the poll.
3. Godwin Obaseki
Obaseki, the outgoing governor and a prominent figure within the PDP, emerges as a notable loser. His inability to secure a victory for his party casts doubt on his political influence and legacy in the state. As a two-term governor, Obaseki had hoped to position himself as a kingmaker, but this election has shown that his endorsement was not enough to sway the electorate.
4. PDP
The PDP, historically a dominant force in Edo State, has suffered a significant loss. This defeat could signal internal challenges within the party, particularly concerning its ability to connect with voters and present a cohesive strategy. The loss has also raised questions about the PDP’s leadership and relevance in the state’s evolving political landscape.
Several high-profile defectors from the APC to the PDP, hoping to ride the wave of change, also suffered a loss. Their decision to switch allegiances was not rewarded at the ballot box, and many now find themselves politically sidelined.
5. Olumide Akpata
Another loser of the election was the governorship candidate of the Labour Party and the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata. He came a distant third in the election with 22, 763 votes, while APC’s Monday Okpebholo finished first with 291,667. Asue Ighodalo of the APC was second with 247, 274 votes.
