REFLECTION
From Edo South to Edo Central Edo and Edo North, the nature of the Edo State APC Senatorial Governorship Campaign flag-off rallies can arguably be described as unprecedentedly remarkable and successful.
It was not only unprecedented as a partisan event but as a political benchmark in the history of campaigns in Edo State. This is particularly against the background that at the respective senatorial rallies, the mammoth gathering of party members supporters looked like a combination of persons from across the State, whereas, with the exception of the few members of the campaign councils that came on official duty, the crowd was made up of only party members, supporters and voters in the respective senatorial zones. This is remarkable as it is a clear departure from the former practice of bussing hundreds and thousands from all manner of places to create a sense of popularity.
The implication of this development is that the APC has really gained a lot of support from its members and supporters since the governorship primary. It also underscores the impact of the unprecedented decampment to the APC, of political bigwigs from the other parties, particularly the ruling PDP.
*EDO SOUTH*
The writing on the wall, as it concerns the paradigm shift for the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, was visibly highlighted at the Edo South APC Governorship Senatorial Campaign Flag-off, which was the first of the three to take place. The attendance of a huge number of supporters from the three metropolitan local government areas, namely: Egor, Ikpoba-okha and Oredo indicates a significant progress for the APC in these areas, compared to the past. It highlights the determination of the party members from these local government areas to cast off the garment of failure through a concerted effort to ensure victory for the APC. The other four local government areas also made a strong showing despite their distance from the venue.
The highlight of the event was no doubt the public demonstration of the crossing over from the PDP to the APC, of a former House of Representatives Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, and daughter of the Esama of Benin, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, along with her brothers in a show of family solidarity. Prior to the Edo South Senatorial flag off, there had been a mass exit of party bigwigs like Omosede Igbinedion and her brothers, from the PDP, to the APC, from the two Ovias and other local government areas in Edo South. For the purpose of this write-up, they are too numerous to mention.
It is pertinent to say that this development is very salutary for the APC because of the significance of Edo South in the electoral equation of Edo State. As the most populated zone, with more than half the voting population, the voting pattern in Edo South practically determines the party which produces the governor. Therefore, with the strengthening of the APC with influential members of the PDP, there is no gainsaying that Edo South APC will be playing a major role in the positive outcome of the election for the Party.
*EDO CENTRAL*
Expectedly yet surprisingly, party members and supporters mobilized locally, turned out in large numbers for the Edo Central senatorial rally. As in Edo South, the sea of heads extended beyond the perimeters of the venue. The energy displayed showed that they are ready to support their very own against an uncertain member of the family, so to say. The APC Governorship Candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, besides being someone Edo Central people can identify with as an original homeboy, is the current Senator whom they elected to represent their zone in the Senate, just over a year ago. Among his formidable backers is the Member representing Esan North-East and South East Federal Constituency, Hon. Odi Okojie, a very popular grassroots mobilizer. His overwhelming presence, among other notable leaders of Edo Central, was felt the rally.
As in Edo South, there has been a mass influx of PDP members into the APC in Edo Central. A combination of the factors here highlighted, make Edo Central an impregnable fortress for the APC.
*EDO NORTH*
In Edo north there is no doubt that APC has remained the dominant party since Comrade Sen. Adams Oshiomhole became Governor of Edo State in 2008. With the people rallying round Oshiomhole in every election, the APC has always won the majority vote. Even when the Deputy Governor and Oshiomhole’s political godson, Hon. Philip Shaibu, broke ranks with him, the majority of voters remained with the performing former governor and the APC. Interestingly, Hon. Shaibu has returned to the fold. With this development and the obvious consolidation of the strength of the party through the state-wide decampment of PDP members, the APC does not only look like winning Edo North but winning by a screaming margin. A foreshadowing of this potential was what was displayed at the Tsunami mobilization that attended the Edo North APC Governorship Campaign Flag Off at Auchi on the 15th of August.
*CONCLUSION*
The APC Senatorial campaign flag offs have come and gone. It has, however, left behind signs of the state of the Edo APC as we move towards the 2024 Governorship Election. It is obvious that from the rally that the APC enjoys maximum support in the race to win the election. Seemingly rising from the ashes of the unfortunate 2020 Governorship Election, the APC has through the flag-offs sent a message across that it is renewed in unity, strength and determination to reclaim Edo State by winning the September 21 Governorship Election. And one can say from the look of things, that there is no stopping the moving train from terminating in Dennis Osadebe Avenue, with Sen. Monday Okpebholo alighting as Governor to take charge of affairs with the support of his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
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