By Tonye Barcanista
Barrister Asue Ighodalo from Edo Central is expected to pick the ticket of PDP.
In 2016 Gubernatorial election, Edo South produced 48.37% of the total votes, Edo North had 32.23%, while Central had 19.4%.
At the 2020 gubernatorial election, Edo South contributed 46.50% of total votes, Edo North produced 35.50%, while Edo Central delivered 18% of the total votes.
In Edo politics, Adams Oshiomole is in strong command of Edo North, Governor Godwin Obaseki is from Edo South, while Philip Shaibu the Deputy Governor is also from the North. Oshiomole is backing Idahosa, Obaseki is backing Asue, while Philip Shaibu is running his race (rumors are rife that he’s planning to switch party).
While the Central is expected to come out en-mass for Barr. Asue Ighodalo, there is a challenge from the South and North, especially within the PDP.
Adams Oshiomole is projected to control the North towards Idahosa’s direction. The PDP needs a strong person from the North to challenge Oshiomole – this is where Philip comes in. Unfortunately, Philip is not in sync with the projected PDP candidate.
In the South, the posture of some PDP aspirants is not favorable to Asue. Asue needs a strong personality there to support the efforts of Governor Obaseki to convince the Binis on why they should vote for him instead of their own son (Idahosa) who is running on the platform of the President’s party. Indeed, he needs the support of ALL stakeholders of the PDP.
As for Hon. Idahosa, he is lucky to be running in an election where his projected major opponent hails from neither of the two politically dominant zones. But he should not relax, because 1+1 is not always 2 in politics – Asue still enjoys the support of the incumbent Governor irrespective.
I shall be more explicit on my projection in coming weeks.
May Edo State Succeed…
