2015 elections and Edo politics
There was wild jubilation within the folds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State over the sack or resignation of the former chief of staff to the president, Mike Ogiadomhe. The people were happy because he is said to be a liability to the party in the state. The party is losing members on a daily basis as a result of mistrust and disappointment from leaders. They are not happy because, despite the fact that there are many PDP members from Edo State in government at the federal level, their impact is not being felt in the state.
As the countdown to the 2015 general elections draws closer, different permutations have continued to dominate the polity. It is still not clear how different candidates or political parties will perform during the elections, but the odd seems to be against the PDP. Looking at the situation on ground in Edo, it would appear that President Jonathan, though from the Niger Delta, will find it difficult to win there if the elections are free and fair. And that will be disappointing.
Other states in the region are also watching. Rivers State is a typical example, where the fortune of the party is dwindling. However, the fact that Governor Rotimi Amaechi has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not mean that the people of South-South have abandoned the PDP. It is not also true that President Jonathan is no longer popular in the two states: Edo and Rivers.
Apart from traditional institutions, the two most popular politicians in Edo State so far are General Charles Airhiavbere, governorship candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election, and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the current governor of the state.
President Goodluck Jonathan or the PDP will certainly need the support and cooperation of these two personalities to win the forthcoming presidential election in Edo State
The problem he will have in Edo State has little or nothing to do with performance in office, but to a greater extent, how the party’s footsoldiers or garrison commanders will help mobilise support for him.
In a recent interview with Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, a leader of the PDP in the state and former governor, he is worried at the dwindling fortune of the party in Edo. “There is a big impediment to the progress of the PDP in Edo State. And until that impediment is removed or something is done to overcome it, I am afraid the party will continue to suffer electoral misfortune in Edo State,’’ he said.
He said that many people in state, including those in the APC, would prefer to identify with the PDP, but one person is a stumbling block. “One person is causing the misfortune of the PDP in Edo State. I don’t want to mention names, but I know that something has to be done.
Recently, many members of the party defected to the APC, including West Idahosa and Victor Edoror. They cited “lack of focus and selfish interests’’ of members, both in the state and the national level as reasons for their action.
Idahosa, with hundreds of his supporters who were received at the APC state secretariat said, “I have come with my teeming supporters, those who have helped to mould me, those who have assisted me over the years to say that we are at home. We have come to the national platform of the progressives in Nigeria.”
Apart from traditional institutions, the two most popular politicians in Edo State so far are General
Charles Airhiavbere, governorship candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election, and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the current
governor of the state
Idahosa, who was a member of the House of Representatives for 12 years on the platform of the PDP, wants to represent Edo South senatorial district on the platform of the APC in 2015. He said his activities in the House showed that he had been a progressive politician.
Speaking shortly after his defection at the floor of the House, Edoror recalled the ugly experiences he went through. “I was kidnapped last year by unknown people and God rescued me. Do you know that up till now, the PDP leadership in Edo State never put a call across to me? We are tired of the inconsistencies and lack of human feelings bedevilling the PDP in Edo State.
Worried by the continued unpopularity of the PDP in Edo State, the party’s Elders Forum met recently in Chief Tony Anenih’s house to seek a way forward. Those who attended the meeting included Chief Tony Anenih , Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Capt Hosa, Works Minister Mike Onolememe, MajorGeneral Charles Airhiavbere, Barrister Ken Imasuangbon, the state party chairman, Chief Dan Orbih etc. It was an opportunity to tell members some home truths that will help take the party to the next level.
Other members also believe that it is time for the PDP to be more focused and aggressive. They said that, just as one man is the problem of the party in the state, only one man can bring it back to strength and reckoning.
Prince Adams Ogiadolor said the presence of General Aihiavbere and his governorship bid two years ago actually brought life and vibrancy back into the party. He said the General was able to unite the different factions that destroyed the party in the state. According to him, though he campaigned vigorously in all the 192 wards in the state and won the hearts of the people, his efforts were thwarted by some members who feared that his rising profile and support for President Goodluck Jonathan was a threat to them. They worked against the interest of the party. And they are still very much around, wreaking havoc to the party in the state.
What the party should be thinking now is how to make President Jonathan win the presidential election come 2015, especially in Edo State. All hands must be on deck to ensure victory for the president. Good enough, APC in Edo State is currently engulfed in crisis over the just concluded ward congresses. Some of their members have even decamped to the PDP. So the PDP is advised to take advantage of this to lure more members to its fold and become strong once again.
Egunyanga wrote from Benin, Edo State.