17 Aspirants in Subtle Move to Succeed Obaseki in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu writes on the pedigree of 17 aspirants from across political party divides who have stepped up moves to succeed Godwin Obaseki as Governor of Edo state.

At the last count, no fewer than 17 aspirants from the three major political parties namely; All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party, and Labour Party (LP), have indicated their interest to contest the governorship primaries next year with the zeal to replace Godwin Obaseki when his tenure expires after completing his two term in office.

While the APC boasts of 11 aspirants at the last count, the PDP and Labour have three governorship aspirants each.

From available statistics, bulk of the aspirants are from Edo central zone and they are: Kenneth Imansuangbon (LP), Gideon Ikhine (APC), Gideon Obhakhan (APC), Victor Eboigbe (APC), and Joe Ikpea (APC).

Others are Dorry Okojie (LP), Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor (APC), Festus Ebea (APC), Retired Col. David Imuse (APC) and Asuen Ighodalo (PDP)

From Edo South, you have the likes of Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (APC), Senator Matthew Urhoghide, No party yet but fraternising with LP,  Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (APC), and Osaretin Ighile (LP).

While in Edo North, you have the likes of Prince Clem Agba, immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning (APC); Edo state deputy governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu (PDP); and member representing Etsako federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dekeri Sunday Anamero (APC).

Here is a short profile of some of the aspirants.

Kenneth Imansuangbon: Law graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). School Proprietor and philanthropist. Former member of the PDP who recently defected to the Labour Party to actualise his governorship ambition. Does not have a political godfather. Loved by many because of his philanthropy that predates his political ambition. However his independent mindedness can be a minus. However, may likely emerge as  the LP candidate all things being equal.

Gideon Obhakhan: A University of Benin graduate of Electrical/Electronic Engineering. Worked with MTN, former Commissioner for Education in Adams Oshiomhole’s administration. Likely to split delegates votes because he is from same local government with Ikhine and Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor.

Gideon Ikhine: A Nigerian engineer and politician, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). A 1990 graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Benin, Director General, Obaseki/Shaibu Campaign Organisation. One of the aspirants to step down for Governor Godwin Obaseki during the 2020 PDP primaries when he was disqualified by his party, APC. Just left PDP for APC over what he called irreconcilable difference between him and Obaseki who he accused of hijacking the party. His recent defection from his former party to APC will surely hunt him because those already on ground may not tolerate his ambition as a new comer to the party.

Victor Eboigbe: APC Chieftain from Ewohimi, Esan South East LGA. A Chemical Engineer from University of Benin, former aide to Adams Oshiomhole.

Joseph Ikpea: Former Chairman, Esan South East LGA of Edo. Former Edo state Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Oil and Gas; Administrator, Lee Engineering and  younger brother to billionaire business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Leemon Ikpea.

Will have strong financial backing because of his elder brother’s deep pocket. However, he may experience obstacle first from people of his area who severally have accused him of not doing enough as council chairman.

Dorry Okojie: Business man per excellence who is into property/estate development.

He is also the Director of Finance, Esan Solidarity Movement, a socio-cultural body of Edo Central extraction. He is in the class of politicians who want to run before they can walk.

Osarhiemen Osunbor: Professor of jurisprudence, first-class graduate of University of Nigeria, two-time senator of the federal republic, representing Edo Central and other credentials of no mean repute.

Has a brighter chance of getting the party ticket should APC zone the party governorship ticket to Edo Central because of carriage, experience and education.

However, his ambition maybe cut short if he is made a minister as rumours suggest.

Festus Ebea: Two-time member, Edo State House of Assembly; former deputy speaker/speaker of the state assembly representing Igueben state Constituency.

His presence may jeopadise chances of other aspirants from his area.

Col. David Imuse (rtd.): Medical Doctor, product of University of Benin, military personnel and current state chairman, APC. One of the jokers among the aspirants from APC and Edo Central zone.

Asuen Ighodalo: Economist, lawyer, Investment banker, Chairman, Sterling Bank, Chairman, Nigeria Brewery, Director General, “Alaghodaro” a yearly celebration of Godwin Obaseki’s achievements since inception as governor of Edo State. Learnt he is being backed by Obaseki as suçcessor but still weighing the option especially with his latest portfolio as Chairman of NBL.

Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma: Edo APC chieftain. Former member, House of Representatives for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency. Board member, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Has great chance of winning should his party zone the governorship to Edo South. Besides, the prayers from the Benin throne will go a long way to help his ambition.

Matthew Urhoghide: Pharmacist, two time senator, representing Edo South in the red chamber, one-time defuct APP Chieftain, APC stalwart, and PDP. Recently resigned his membership of the PDP. May have no chance in the contest having resigned from PDP and has not indicated his current political persuasion.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu: Pastor in Lord’s vineyard. Former Chief of Staff to former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, former Secretary to State Government (SSG), a former member of PDP, former deputy national chairman (South/south) of defunct ACN, contested governorship elections twice. Still considering whether to contest or not.

Osaretin Ighile: Studied Sculpture, painting and performance art at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. Not known in political circle.

Philip Shaibu: Graduate of University of Jos. Students Union activist, Two-time member of Edo House of Assembly, House majority leader, former member, representing Etsako federal constituency in the green chamber, present deputy governor of Edo state.

He’s been hiding his governorship ambition from his principal only to be exposed by his traditional ruler, when traditional rulers of Edo Central met with their Edo North counterpart to plead with them to support somebody from the zone for governorship in the interest of fairness, equity and justice. This singular act has put his ambition in jeopardy as his boss who is rooting for central candidate will not support him.

Prince Clem Agba: Economist, former Chevron Manager, former Commissioner for Environment, Edo State, former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

His governorship ambition recently suffered a setback when he visited the Oba of Benin on a thank you visit. Not sure he will recover from the shock.

Dekeri Sunday Anamero: Petrol merchant and politician. Currently the member, representing Etsako federal constituency. He is perceived as another joker in the pack. Barely one month of legislative duty, he begins to nurse governorship ambition. Many don’t take him seriously, and wondered if he thinks politics is about changing the nozzle of a hose.

As it stands, Edo State stands on a tripod namely; Edo South with 58.2 percent population; Edo North, 24. 8 percent; while Edo Central which is the least, population wise, has 16 percent.

With the population configuration, Edo South is on good standing to decide who becomes the next governor of the state. This is because a combination of the population figure of both the central and north, is not enough to determine which zone would produce the governor of the state.

This perhaps prompted leaders from the central zone to initiate a consultation move to their counterparts from the other two zones to in the spirit of brotherliness, cede the governorship position to them even with their tiny population. The Edo central leaders, spearheaded by the Esan Okpa Initiative, led by former Speaker of the state assembly in the past one year, have been going round appealing to other leaders to let them have a bite of the state cake.

Besides, they are at the same time appealing to their people to prune down the number of aspirants to a manageable level to pave way for acceptance by the other two zones. Whether this will yield the desirable result is yet to play out given the fact that democracy is a game of number laced with politics without sentiments.