By Ehichioya Steve Odion
It is certain that any moment from now the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ably led by Mammoud Yakubu will release the time table for the Edo 2024 governorship election.
Edo State election Will come next year after Kogi and Bayelsa elections slated for November this year.
Even though some of the political actors mentioned above have not officially come out to indicate interest in Edo 2024 governorship race but their body language is suggesting they may contest.
As for the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu got Endorsement from the Edo North Monarchs recently, when the Edo Central Traditional Rulers visited the Edo North Monarchs to solicit their support for Esan candidate to emerge as governor in next year's Governorship election in the state, for coexistence, equity and justice. But the Edo People were shocked when the Edo North Monarchs came out openly to canvass support for their son, Comrade Philip Shaibu for the same Governoship position while their visitors were still with them and knowing full well that they had their turn of 8 years as Governor through Comrade Adams Oshiomhole the present Senator representing Edo North at the National Assembly.
There is no doubt that Comrade Shaibu has always been lucky with political postions since 2007 when he was elected to represent Etsako West Constituency 1 at the Edo State House of Assembly, where he became the Minority Leader in the house. He spent 8 years in the house. In 2015 he contested for the Position of House of Representatives to again represent Etsako Federal Constituency at the National Assembly. No doubt he won the election and became a member in the 8th Assembly.
But in 2016, when Governor Goodwin Obaseki contested as governor in Edo State luck beaconed on Comrade Philip Shaibu once again and he was made the running mate to Governor Obaseki as Deputy Governoship candidate and he relinquished his membership position at the National Assembly. Luckily too Gov. Obaseki won the election in 2916 and Comrade Shaibu became the Deputy Governor. In Obaseki's re-election in 2020, Philip Shaibu had a joint ticket with him to run for the election and they also won, and that is the office he is presently occupying till date.
It is a known fact that the people of Edo Central gave their full cooperation and support to Comrade Philip Shaibu in the two elections that brought him to the Government House as Deputy Governor.
Comrade Philip Shaibu having enjoyed this kind of support and show of love from the people of Edo Central, I think it is only wise for him to reciprocate the kind gesture bequeathed on him by the people of Esanland and mobilise his people, including the Edo North Monarchs to give his full support to the Edo Central people in 2024 Edo Governoship election. They say one good turn deserves another.
However, Comrade Shaibu has a right to pursue his political carreer to his satisfaction, but he should be grateful to God for taking him to this stage he is today, while waiting for the appropriate time for God to elevate him politically again.
As for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu he contested with Gov. Goodwin Obaseki in 2016 when an Edo Central son, Hon. John Yakubu was his Deputy Governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He made the second attempt in 2020 Edo Governoship race with Gov. Godwin Obaseki again on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Although he lost the two elections, he got the full support of the people of Edo Central during the period.
I think it is time for him to also play the role of a leader in Edo politics and in his party, APC to make sure his party zones the ticket to Edo Central senatorial District and give his full support to the Esan candidate to win the election next year.
This message also goes to Hon. Prince Clem Agba who has been lucky too since he joined politics in Edo. He served two tenures as Commissioner for environment in Edo State and served as a Federal Minister for State National Planning and Budget. He too should also know how to give support to others to succeed in their political endeavours and give his full support to an Esan man.
As for others who are thinking in the direction to contest this 2024 governorship election should have a rethink as well and mobilise their support for an Edo Central candidate in their various political parties.
If these people concerned are able to make this sacrifice to ensure an Edo Central person emerge as Governor of Edo State come next year, they would have succeeded in writing their names in the political book of history in the state and indelibly in the minds of Esan people.
Post a Comment