After months of campaigning and a postponement, the tussle for the next governor of Edo State reaches its crescendo today as Mr Godwin Obaseki, of the APC and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the PDP battle for the one number position in the state.
The election is also seen as battle of supremacy between the outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led All Progressives Congress (APC) and the political maverick, Chief Tony Anenih’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The election going by report will be very tight. The PDP is gunning to regain power it lost to the APC in 2007 when it was Action Congress (AC) or be prepared to go into political oblivion in the state. APC on its part will try to consolidate its power with another victory.
Interestingly, the battle for Osabedey’s avenue is between two popular Benin families, the Ize-Iyamu’s and the Obaseki’s. Expectedly, the candidates have proven their determination and poise during the months of political campaigns with messages laced with offer of self-sacrifices to serve the state and its people.
The PDP candidate, having enjoyed an equal endorsement like the APC candidate, it is however expected that the economic recession under the APC-led Buhari administration may affect the way Edo electorate may vote owing the general economic down turn biting hard on Nigerians.
While for the ruling APC’s ‘change’ mantra slogan is not helping matter while the PDP’s ‘change the change’ sing song is flowing from some of flip-flop of the APC-led administration and the people are clamoring for the change the change song of the PDP.
Be that as it may, some observers are however of the view that the people are likely to vote based on their perception of the two political parties, APC and PDP which have at one time or the other, been in power. The APC during the campaign proudly reeled out records of it’s performance which are visible for all to see across the three senatorial districts.
It is however a different kettle of fish for the PDP which over the years is saddled with huge moral question hanging on it’s neck. The years the party held sway were commonly referred to the years of locust, and a sad history for the people.
The contest, no doubt, is a two-horse race for the APC’s Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and the PDP’s Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. One does not need much robes to sermonize that it’s payback time too either ways, for good or bad done within the folds and therefore surprises are not ruled out.
The Edo election is seen a litmus test that the Independent National Electoral Commision, INEC must not fail after the debacle in Rivers. About 2 million eligible voters are expected to go to the polls in the election today.
