Battle for Osadebe House: Who’s next after Oshiomhole?

By Gabriel Enogholase, Benin
ALTHOUGH the next governorship election in Edo State is expected to
hold in 2016, preparations are already in top gear across the state's
three senatorial districts, as politicians search for Comrade Governor
Oshiomhole's successor.
However, going by the principle of zoning which has been entrenched
into Nigeria's political lexicon, Edo North Senatorial district would
certainly be left out of the governorship race as the incumbent
governor hails from the zone.So the coast is now clear for Edo South
and Edo Central Senatorial districts to produce the next governor, and
both districts seem to have drawn a battle line as far as the issue is
concerned.
Since the advent of the current political dispensation in the state in
1999, Edo-South has presided over affairs for eight years in the
person of Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion (1999-2007) and his
Deputy, Chief MikeOghiadomhe from Edo North.
Edo Central held the reins of power for one and half years under Prof.
Oserhiemen Osunbor (2007- Nov. 2008)with Mr. Lucky Imansuen from Edo
South as his Deputy; while Edo North iscurrently having its eight
years in office under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with Rt. Hon (Dr.) Pius
Odubu from Edo South as his Deputy.
Against this backdrop, zoning of political offices, ethnic sentiments
and horse trading are expected to play a major role in determining
which of theaforementioned zones would produce the next governor of
the state.
Having had a bitter experience following its defeat by the ACN in the
2012 governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would
not play to the gallery this time around regarding the choice of who
flies its flag in 2016. While the party would want to adhere to its
zoning formula; its strength in each zone, voting population,
contributions of individuals as well as party loyalty and discipline
would also come into play asfar as who turns out to be its flagbearer
is concerned.
As for the Action Congress of Nigeria,if APC sails through the INEC
registration, the question of who becomes its gubernatorial candidate
after ComradeAdams Oshiomhole is already raising dust. While some
would-be governorship aspirants are already warming up for the coveted
seat, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole's high-flying performance, acknowledged
even by the World Bank, is expected to be one of the yardsticks that
will determine the party's choice.
According to the former Chief of General Staff, SSG, to the Lucky
Igbinedion administration and currently the National Vice-Chairman
(South- South) of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Pastor Osagie
Ize-Iyamu at a recent lecture in Benin, "The fact is that the
incumbent goveror, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has taken Edo State to a
higher pedestal in developmental indices that was even acknowledged by
the World Bank. Definitely, Edo people cannot accept anything less in
the political credentials of those aspiring to that exalted office, as
retrogression in development and lethargy in governance is now
antithetical to the expected quality of governance in Edo State.
"Edo needs a grassroots political leader with a compassionate heart to
connect with the suffering citizens andthe under-privileged; a
youthful face to reach out to the teeming youngsters seeking hope for
tomorrow; a deeply religious politician as righteousness exalts a
people and brings down the blessings of God; experienced enough to
wisely dissect the counsel of the elderly in the political class, and
popular nationally in the party to attract economic investments to Edo
State"
Among those speculated to be interested in the race so far are: Dr.
Joseph E. Ebidamiagbon, a UK-based Medical Doctor; Prof. Sylvanus Isi
Oriakhi, based in the United States; Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu, Barr.
Osarodion Ogie, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and former Governor Oserhiemen
Osunbor. Also rumoured to be interested in the race is Arch. Mike
Onolemenmen, current Minister of Worksand so on. There are several
others who may indicate their interest in the race in the future.
Meanwhile, political pundits in the state are of the view that
emphasis should be placed on prudence going by the loss of political
equation Edo Central has witnessed as a result of theCourt of Appeal's
ruling in 2008 when deciding prospective candidates by the parties.
Political observers also reason that following the drawbacks Edo
Central Senatorial zone has experienced in thepolitics of Edo State in
recent years, a possible consensus could lead to a formidable
candidate from the zone onthe platform of the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, even with the high-profile names that are being rumoured
to have shown interest in the governorship race from the zone.The
rumour making the rounds is that Arc. Mike Onolememen is highly
favoured by the political class in the PDP, given that he is currently
a sourceof leadership inspiration in the party and has attracted so
many people withhis maturity as a Minister of State, Defense and
Minister of Works. He is also said to be enjoying the full support of
the political leadership in Edo cutting across various political
divides. If that 'permutation' is anything to go by, then there could
be hope for the PDP in the future politics of the state. This, no
doubt, will be a major hurdle for would-be candidates from other
political parties – especiallythe ACN which the PDP is waiting to take
advantage of.
Onolememen is believed to command a positive influence among the
general public and he has endeared to himself a mature leadership ever
sincehe became a Minister in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is
also said to have displayed a high sense of leadership in the
management of affairs even as a Minister of Works, and he could do
better if given the opportunity as a Governor. In the words of the
coordinator of Edo16 Network at the meeting, "Arc. Mike has shown
enough competence right from when he was a Minister of State for
Defense. Leadership is about vision and competence."
In a position paper presented by a newpressure group, "Do 16 Network",
coordinated by Aihie Tom and Dr. EvansUwadia at its inaugural meeting
on Political Equation in Edo State recently,it posited that the
emergence of any Governorship Candidate from the three Senatorial
Districts should be of a great concern to every person that believes
in the unity, fairness and progress of Edo State.
This, they believe, should be a lesson drawn from the crisis generated
before, during and after the 2007 Governorship Election that
eventually nosedived in 2008. The group, comprising members from the
three senatorial districts in Edo, described Edo Central Senatorial
Zone as the Political Wealth of Edo and wondered why a district with
such a reputation should not be allowed to govern for two terms as
experienced by the two Senatorial districts – Edo North and EdoSouth.
And for the ACN, Comrade Oshiomhole is very busy providing democratic
dividends for the people of the state. For now, he is not thinking of
grooming a possible successor although he has a major role to play in
deciding who succeeds him.
The possible gladiators in the ACN are Oshiomhole's deputy, Rt. Hon
Dr. Pius Odubu, who is very loyal to his boss and has also paid his
political dues in the state. Having served as a two-time lawmaker in
the House of Representatives and another eight years as Deputy
Governor, he has garnered enough experience and is well equipped for
the governance of the state if given the nod by his party.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is not a stranger in the politics of the
state. As a former Chief of Staff and SSG to the Lucky Igbinedion
administration, he knows the workings of government in and out. And as
one of those who promoted the Grace Group, he commands a lot of
followership and has the political sagacity to perform in office if
given the opportunity.
As for Barrister Osarodion Ogie, the current Commissioner for Works,
many see in him another Babatunde Fashola who as former Chief of Staff
to Ahmed Bola Tinubu, under-studied his master.Ogie, an unassuming and
quintessential team player, is one manmany should watch out for in the
race for Osadebe Avenue.
Senator Ehigie Uzamere, the two-time lawmaker representing Edo South
in the Senate, is not a pushover also. He has the capacity to do
battle with others for the plum office when the right time comes.