With the September 21, 2024 governorship election looming in Edo State, political parties have ramped up their campaigns across the state, signaling a period of intense politicking characterized by scheming and jostling for power.
Seventeen political parties, including prominent ones like the APC, PDP, and LP, have nominated candidates for the election, setting the stage for what pundits predict to be a three-horse race despite internal crises within these major parties.
The APC, PDP, and LP have all grappled with controversies and protests surrounding the emergence of their respective candidates. In the APC, parallel primary polls resulted in multiple candidates claiming victory, leading to disquiet and subsequent intervention by the party’s National Working Committee.
Similarly, the PDP primary election was marred by drama, with Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, embroiled in a supremacy battle. The emergence of Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate was disputed, further exacerbating the party’s internal strife.
Meanwhile, the LP’s candidate selection process was not devoid of intrigues, with different factions backing different aspirants. The party eventually settled on Olumide Akpata as its candidate, amidst disagreements and parallel primary election venues.
As campaigns gain momentum following INEC’s lift on the ban, political parties are faced with the challenge of managing internal crises while actively participating in the electoral process. The outcome of the September 21 election will ultimately reveal how these parties navigate through their self-inflicted challenges in their quest for power.
