On Saturday, September 21, 2024, millions of voters will head to the polls for the Edo State Governorship election.
With 17 candidates competing for the prestigious position at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo State, this off-cycle election will determine who will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose eight-year tenure concludes in November.
Obaseki, who began his leadership in 2016 with the All Progressives Congress (APC), switched to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to internal party conflicts and secured a second term in 2020.
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After a period of political maneuvering and primaries, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 17 parties for the election, as indicated on its website.
The election will take place across 4,519 polling units in the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
The pivotal question remains: who will step into Obaseki’s shoes as the leader of the South-South state?
Well, here is the profile of the three prominent candidates battling out for the number one seat in Edo State:
Monday Okpebholo
In Edo State politics, Monday Okpebholo is a familiar figure. Representing Edo Central as a senator, Okpebholo is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the governorship race to replace Governor Obaseki.
Okpebholo’s candidacy was confirmed after a series of contentious events surrounding the APC primary elections.
Although three candidates emerged from the primaries, Okpebholo was ultimately chosen by party stakeholders as the APC’s candidate for the September 21 election.
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To address internal party conflicts and solidify support, Okpebholo selected Dennis Idahosa—one of the candidates from the factional primaries—as his running mate.
In his campaign, Okpebholo has promised to address issues such as insecurity, improve education, and develop infrastructure.
He aims to leverage the APC’s national prominence to secure victory.
Despite these efforts, critics argue that Okpebholo has been notably absent from media engagements and question his suitability for the governorship role.
Okpebholo holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan and hails from Udomi in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area (LGA).
Asuen Ighodalo
For his governorship ambitions to materialize, Asue Ighodalo must contend with several strong rivals, including prominent candidates such as Asue Ighodalo from the ruling PDP.
Ighodalo, a notable figure on the ballot, hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan South-East LGA, Edo Central.
A lawyer and former economic adviser to ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Ighodalo benefits from the support of the current Governor Godwin Obaseki.
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His campaign, titled “Pathway to Prosperity for All,” aims to bring prosperity to Edo State.
Ighodalo, who is part of Obaseki’s economic team, co-founded the renowned corporate and commercial law firm Banwo and Ighodalo.
His running mate is lawyer Osarodion Ogie. Ighodalo holds a law degree from the University of Ibadan and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
Obaseki’s endorsement of Ighodalo has sparked speculation among opponents, who suggest that the governor might be positioning Ighodalo as a potential successor to further his political influence.
Olumide Akpata
While both the APC and PDP have held power in Edo State, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) aims to challenge the status quo.
A former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Akpata is leveraging the LP’s success in Edo State during the 2023 presidential election, where the party secured 331,163 votes with Peter Obi as its candidate.
In a significant move, Akpata resigned in 2023 from his position as a senior partner at the Nigerian law firm Templars to focus on his political ambitions.
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Although the PDP and APC are fielding candidates from Edo Central due to claims of marginalization, Akpata, hailing from Edo South, views his candidacy as a contribution to “nation-building.”
Despite facing challenges, including the state’s zoning arrangements, Akpata’s manifesto, titled “My Pact with the People of Edo State,” aims to revitalize the state’s economy and enhance infrastructure across various sectors. His campaign focuses on eight key areas.
Akpata’s running mate is Yusuf Kadiri, also a lawyer.
