By Sebastine Ebhuomhan
Edo State people are excited ahead of a mini election on Saturday, 17th February, 2024. On that day, registered members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would vote to elect the candidate to represent them in the state governorship election. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election holds on Saturday, 21st September, 2024.
The party leadership has promised to organize a safe, free, fair and credible primary for the 12 contestants that bought the party’s Expression of Interest and Governorship Nomination Form and were screened. The frontline contestant is the lawmaker representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Monday Okpebholo, popularly known as Akpakomiza. Citizens satisfied with his representation proudly purchased the form for him. They espoused their conviction in Okpebholo as the aspirant capable of reclaiming Edo State for APC in 2024. Hence, this special report shall show why APC must support Edo Central District by nominating Akpakomiza.
Significance of APC’s Direct Primary
At a time other parties such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and others were undecided, scared or confused about how to select their candidates, APC NWC adopted direct primary for Edo State, which instantly makes its primary election a dress rehearsal for the governorship showdown.
By adopting the open, transparent, populous, inclusive, and democratic mode, the APC intends to showcase its popularity in Edo State and the popularity of its candidate: both of which would be determined by the votes of the majority of its members as against a selected few, called delegates, which the other parties have adopted.
Importantly, the adoption of direct election mode by APC would accentuate democratic values, party discipline, unity of purpose, financial responsibility, transparent process, reduced vote buying, sustainable campaign, lower litigation, greater inclusiveness, freer election and a robust involvement of most registered members, all of which would attract greater support for the eventual winner.
A Crowded Field of APC Aspirants
Expectedly, the decision had also thrown up the challenge of a crowded field of APC aspirants. At the last count, 29 APC aspirants directly and indirectly campaigned across units, wards, and councils in the state to seek support and nomination of party members and leaders for the ticket. None of them agreed to step down for another. One of the most serious aspirants who did not only purchase and submit the party forms but openly declared his intention to contest the election is Akpakomiza. He formally declared his aspiration in his ward, his local government area and the state party secretariat in Benin. The only aspirant in any party to make such a bold statement.
Unlike the other aspirants, Akpakomiza is a product of the convergence of opportunity, preparedness, goodwill and acceptability, propelled by the love of God and people inside and outside Edo State. While he progressively carved a niche for himself as an embodiment of passion, ability, capacity, capability, honesty, accountability and responsibility before he won his senatorial election, his leadership, experience and vision have since transcended into impactful actions.
Akpakomiza is very qualified. However, there are other recognised APC aspirants, who are also qualified. Suffice to mention a few names.
Colonel (Dr.) David Imuse aspires along Akpakomiza from the same Edo Central District. A valiant soldier, a distinguished physician, and an astute politician, who honourably resigned as Edo APC chairman in 2024 to pursue his aspiration, Imuse believes in his ability to return Edo State to APC as his leadership delivered two senatorial and six federal constituency seats to the party in the 2023 general election. But Imuse has not contested any major election before. There is also: Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor, an eminently qualified aspirant whose short governorship administration a constitutional court nullified, voided and expunged in 2008 but whose old age now—at over 72 years—makes him unappealing; Right Hon. Festus Ebea, a former Deputy Speaker of Edo Assembly, regarded as a lightweight; and Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine, an eminently qualified social scientist, who is unarguably far from the proletariats of Edo State.
Edo South and Edo North Aspirants
From Edo South, the first name would always be: Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. An ex-political adviser, an ex-Chief of Staff to a Governor, and an ex-Secretary to Edo State Government, Ize-Iyamu, a leading Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God who has led presidential campaigns in Edo State, is not a political neophyte. Yet, after contesting past governorship primaries and elections, losing twice as the candidate of both the PDP (in 2016) and the APC (in 2020), deep-rooted issues that accounted for Ize-Iyamu’s loss on those occasions would always shape his contest in the future, according to political experts. It is widely suggested that he should seek a political appointment again and use it to re-write his page in history before contesting another governorship election.
From Edo South, there are: Chief Lucky Imasuen, an ex-Deputy Governor in the court-erased Osunbor administration, a shrewd politician, a likeable personality, and a respected leader of Edo South APC; and the Right Honourable Dennis Idahosa, alias Denco, the youthful lawmaker currently representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. While Imasuen, despite the overwhelming likeness for him, is fittingly viewed as a kingmaker, Denco is the toast and rave of the youth of Edo South. Denco, an ex-Commissioner of Edo State Government and a popular lawmaker hailed for burying PDP dominance of Ovia Federal Constituency since 2019 is popular for the unmatched projects he has attracted to the under-developed constituency since 2019. Denco is currently pursuing a defamation suit against an APC national leader, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, over a criminal allegation. Be that as it may, the argument against Edo South aspirants is that the district presently holds almost all the top elective and appointive political offices in Edo State, beginning from the Office of the Governor.
From Edo North, the APC parades an array of intimidating aspirants that include the immediate past Minister of State for Budget, who is also an ex-Commissioner, Prince Clem Agba and the retired Federal Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afolabi Umakhihe. With Agba’s years of experience in the oil industry and Afolabi’s 32-year experience in public service, both are eminently qualified for the office of Governor of Edo State. However, in a multi-linguistic and multi-cultural cosmopolitan state like Edo, where Edo North indigenes are presently holding the Deputy Governor, Speaker, Federal Minister and a number of top federal and state MDAs and Board appointments, and where the representation of Edo Central District is limited to the backbench of Deputy Speaker of Edo Assembly and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Edo people are very determined to support the aspiration of Akpakomiza from Edo Central District, a more qualified, competent and capable aspirant.
A Cacophony of Arguments on Zoning, Pruning
Long before the race to Dennis Osadebey Avenue began, there was a raging debate about the propriety of zoning: of every party zoning its ticket to Edo Central District, which has had a limited and truncated taste of Edo State power. The debate raised dusts in APC and other parties. Despite the absence of a written agreement between the three districts, power rotation is constitutional. It is a democratic tool for fostering unity, justice, inclusiveness, balance, egalitarianism, equity, trust, support and stability. In the past, it has achieved a harmonious, united coexistence of Nigeria’s social and cultural multiplicities as well as ethnic and religious diversities. It could be recalled how northern APC governors patriotically returned power to the South in 2023 as against northern PDP governors’ unjust plan to keep power in the North. Those opposed to zoning in Edo APC and other parties had even gone further to say it doesn’t produce the best candidate after which they ridicule their intelligence with threats to mobilize voters against end products of zoning or rotation, which they labelled in their blindfolded brains as ethnic champions. Such opposers are greedy and dishonest.
It is gratifying to highlight, however, that before, during and after his declaration, Akpakomiza has never situated his campaign as Esan Agenda. Instead, he has been campaigning on a Pan-Edo Agenda by a governor of Esan extraction.
The Search for a Competent APC Flagbearer
Sensing the danger of not doing its homework well, Edo Central Senatorial District APC under the leadership of General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retired) purposely set up a committee to screen and prune the list of Esan aspirants for a competent flagbearer that can defeat the choice of the other districts. The committee and the senatorial leadership caucus concluded their task with the recommendation of Senator Monday Okpebholo, alias Akpakomiza, and two others, Hon. Festus Ebea and Col. (Dr.) David Imuse as the most capable aspirants from Edo Central.
Following the district’s screening, a meeting of all APC aspirants to foster dialogue, peace and unity held in Abuja next. But before then, organizers released the result of a state-wide opinion poll held to determine where Edo people want the next governor to come from. The result: 75 percent of responders want a capable person from Edo Central District to govern the state from 2024. Observers did not fail to compare the poll result to the pursuit of Governor Obaseki faction of Edo PDP to make an aspirant from Edo Central District the party’s candidate for the 2024 election.
Due to the challenge of its crowded field, the possibility of rancour or litigation, and without a ready-made option for peaceful, cohesive, and united post-primary campaigns, Edo APC decided to prune the large number of its aspirants. It set up a committee chaired by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Owan Federal Constituency lawmaker, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere. In a series of communications following different stages of work, the advisory committee recommended four aspirants. The four were adjudged to possess the capacity and capability to win the September election against any party. Again, the first name on the list of the recommended four is Senator Monday Okpebholo, alias Akpakomiza. Others are: Hon. Dennis Idahosa, alias Denco; Col. (Dr.) David Imuse and Chief Lucky Imasuen. The criteria outlined for the aspirants included:
· A qualified and verifiable credential of the aspirant.
· Evidence of past election results of APC victories at the aspirant’s unit, ward, local government area and senatorial district.
· Proof of the aspirant’s commitment and contributions to the development of APC in Edo State.
· Proof of the aspirant’s commitment and contributions to the development of Edo State.
· A presentation of the aspirant’s manifesto.
Sadly, as the committee worked in accordance to the criteria and rules, unscrupulous politicians leaked and created controversies out of the recommendations. This resulted to unwarranted, unfair and abusive comments against the committee members and Edo APC Leader, Senator (Comrade) Adams Oshiomhole, by supporters of aspirants marked incapable of winning 2024 Edo governorship election.
Reacting in a live television interview, Oshiomhole stated, “The decision was taken by the party leadership with the support of all the aspirants. Only one person can win.”
Akpakomiza: The Tested and Trusted Choice of Edo People
Sequel to the recommendations of Edo Central Senatorial District and Edo State APC leadership, caucus and committee, and as a proof that the distinguished senator Okpebholo properly earned his plaudits, an independent projection in January, backing the call by Edo Central District, further tipped Akpakomiza as the most likely aspirant to clinch Edo APC governorship ticket in a direct primary.
Conducted for all APC aspirants by Esan Alliance Movement (EAM), respondents identified Akpakomiza as their most preferred governorship candidate for APC. The poll considered popularity, capability, acceptability, experience, and contribution, using the combination of phone surveys, questionnaires and influencers. Furthermore, it identified the youth’s predisposition to seeing a younger candidate leading the state.
Why are more people agitating for the nomination of Akpakomiza as APC governorship candidate? He is a free, fair and credible victor of a difficult election that broke a jinx in Edo State. At 53 years old, he is young, popular, acceptable, patriotic, courageous, and undaunted. He is a clean break from the dirty political past of Edo State. He talks less and works more.
In 2022, when many aspirants were running from contesting on the platform of APC for fear of losing to the traditional PDP, Akpakomiza embraced the challenge from an incumbent and boldly contested the 2023 Edo Central District senatorial election as an APC flagbearer. In one of the freest, fairest, and most credible polls in the state, he defeated the incumbent PDP lawmaker, Senator Clifford Ordia and the LP challenger, Omofuma Oseremen to take his distinguished seat at the hallowed green chamber of the National Assembly (NASS), where he chairs the Senate Committee on Public Procurement. The election victory of Okpebholo, which was not achieved as a briefcase politician, broke PDP dominance of Esan Land dating way back to 1999.
Reflecting on the significance of this historic record, the acting chairman of Edo State APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe said, “If you can weather the storm and come out victorious in an election in Edo Central, that is a clear indication to us that you are a material that can win election at the state level.”
Akpakomiza is set for an encore on 21st September, 2024, if APC nominates him.
The Marginalization of Edo Central District
Some people have tried unsuccessfully to debunk with twisted and warped narratives the clear and obvious marginalization of Edo Central District in the present political equation of Edo State. For example, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Right Hon. Philip Shaibu, who is desperate to succeed his principal, Governor Obaseki, claimed that Edo Central has produced two past governors in Professor Ambrose Folorunsho Alli and Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor. Shaibu’s claim, which is being trumpeted by his supporters and some other aspirants’ supporters, is not true in reality, and indeed.
Born in Idoani, Ondo State, the late Alli, whose legacies adorn Edo and Delta States today, never governed Edo State. He was elected and re-elected on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) as Executive Governor of Bendel State from 1979 to 1983 when Major-General Muhammadu Buhari-led military coup seized power and terminated his tenure. The administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida created Edo State and Delta State out of the old, defunct Bendel State on 27th August, 1991. If Shaibu and others are truthful, why don’t they extend their narratives to Western Region and Mid-West Region, the progenitors of Bendel State and Edo State?
As for Osunbor, a distinguished scholar and senator from 1999 to 2007, the same year he was elected into office on the platform of the PDP as Executive Governor of Edo State, both the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal nullified, voided and expunged his election after which his certificate of returns was withdrawn. In the face of the law, therefore, Osunbor’s brief 18-month governorship never officially existed. If Shaibu was honest and factual, he would have remembered that when his government honoured all the past governors of Edo State during the 2023 Alaghodaro Summit, Osunbor was neither honoured nor included in the picture of awardees that had Chief Lucky Igbinedion, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Chief John Oyegun lining up from left to right.
As a further analysis, Oyegun hails from Edo South, Igbinedion hails from Edo South, Oshiomhole hails from Edo North, while the incumbent, Obaseki, hails from Edo South. They all did two terms of eight years each, except Oyegun, who did less. In spite of the massive support Edo Central has given both Edo South and Edo North since 1991, what is the fate of Edo Central today?
According to South-South Organizing Secretary, APC, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, “Edo South (Benin) have made it customary to have all the powerful and influential federal appointments that come to Edo State. Apart from producing the current governor, and three former governors with 2 ministers, Edo South has had/still having some of the offices listed below…” While Agbomhere itemized positions held by indigenes of the South, the factual fall-out is that the remaining positions except Deputy Speaker of Edo Assembly and Deputy Chief of Staff are held by Edo North. Again, these facts highlight the need to support the aspiration of Akpakomiza, a qualified aspirant from Edo Central, not only for his passion, competence, capability and acceptance but for equity, justice and fairness.
Weighing in, spokesperson of the Monday Okpebholo Campaign Organization, an ex-lawmaker and Commissioner of Information, Barrister Paul Ohonbamu appealed to the Benins to support Akpakomiza. “I have told my Benin brothers that never again are we oppressing certain persons. It is against equity for a senatorial district to govern for 16 years and still wants to make it 24 years while some have not done it at all. Okpebholo’s success is already fixed.”
Akpakomiza’s 5-Point Agenda
Akpakomiza has summarized his vision into a simple and straightforward Five-Point Agenda of action. Furthermore, he has promised to declare a state of emergency in all sectors of the economy. Unlike the sophists and technocrats, who have continued to wave elongated, confusing, convoluted and unrealistic agendas and MOUs, here are the cardinal focus of his plan of action.
1. Security.
2. Agriculture.
3. Health.
4. Infrastructure.
5. Road Construction.
His contributions to the development of Edo Central and Edo State before and after he became a senator encompasses provision of borehole water, construction of roads, construction of schools, provision of learning tools, provision of vehicles for security, reconstruction of Uromi NPF Area Command complex, regular payment of indigent medical bills, youth skill training/set up, empowerment of indigenes, provision of transformers and street lights, students scholarships, provision of luxurious bus for free daily transportation etc.
Reminding all about Edo Central District’s support for the other districts in the past again, he urged the others to reciprocate those supports now even as he promised to involve leaders of all the districts in decision-making.
Akpakomiza underlines his edge. “I am very qualified and a very credible aspirant from Edo Central. As the current senator representing the zone, I am bringing a wealth of experience and a track record of effective representation. Having travelled across the state, I have a deep understanding of the challenges facing Edo people. This makes me the ideal candidate to lead our party and state.”
In one statement from the groundswell of endorsements approving his aspiration, Chairman of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Edo State Chapter, Samson Isibor said, “Okpebholo has built, renovated many schools and rehabilitated many roads. We found him worthy of CRPP award last year. We are appealing to APC to consider giving him the flag as the man who can defeat the outgoing Governor Obaseki’s ‘godson’, Asue Ighodalo, who is unknown to Edo people.”
A new Edo is rising for a prosperous future with Senator Monday Okpebholo’s mantra of “Practical Governance.” Let us support Akpakomiza with our votes to take governance beyond sloganeering, propaganda, deceit, voodoo and MOUs.
Sebastine EBHUOMHAN is an award-winning journalist from Edo State, writing from Abuja. He can be reached on: usie007@yahoo.com or 08037204620.
