Politics

Why Obaseki Should Change Course To Ogbeide-Ihama

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

Mani Ekpeneru

The approach to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State is one that is bound to raise questions for the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The party’s prospects became a challenge after the national leadership of the party kowtowed to the political leadership of the state instead of inclining to the mainstream of the party ahead of the 2023 General Election. The result was an unmitigated disaster that led to the PDP for the first time losing the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

At the peak of the popularity of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor he was unable to browbeat the PDP in the two elections, underlying the popularity of the PDP in Edo State.

It is, however, saddening that the PDP because of the internal crisis it experienced allowed itself to be seriously divided in the 2023 General Elections leading to the unpalatable result.

The question that must now be brought to the fore is whether having learnt its lesson, is the PDP is ready to make a change?

It is welcoming that Governor Godwin Obaseki has after much hesitation unbent and started reconciliation with many of the PDP leaders he had in the past been at odds with.

The Christmas Holiday visit to Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice-chairman, South-South of the party is indeed instructive.

It is, however, regrettable that the governor is making peace in his last days in the office for the sole purpose of trying to market the aspirant he wants to make the candidate of the party. However, he cannot cover the faces of the people with this his last-minute charm offensive.

However, this charm offensive towards Orbih and other leaders is misdirected. Obaseki should rather direct his arsenal towards the very man who made it possible for him to win reelection in 2020.

We remember that Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was the leading aspirant in 2020 and had the momentum to win the PDP ticket four years ago.

That aspiration and momentum were, however, cut short after Obaseki had his problems in the All Progressives Congress, APC with his issues with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and he decamped to the PDP.

Ogbeide-Ihama was courted and pressure was brought to bear upon him by high and low within the PDP to yield the ticket to Governor Obaseki who was desirous of a platform for a second term.

It was a patriotic and also a humane gesture from Ogbeide-Ihama to step down for Obaseki in 2020. His action showed that he is not a

man of arrogance being ready to concede to superior authorities.

Now with the outgoing governor looking for a lasting legacy especially in political stability, there is no better person to takeover the baton than Ogbeide-Ihama.

Among the reasons Ogbeide-Ihama is best positioned to be the next governor of the state is the fact that he continues to maintain the popularity that thrust him forward as the aspirant to beat in 2020.

Ogbeide-Ihama’s popularity in 2020 came on the fact that he is presently the only one to have won re-election as member of the House of Representatives from Oredo Federal Constituency.

That feat was undoubtedly as a result of his impressive performance as a member of the House of Representatives. It is also significant that he is widely regarded among the mainstream of the party in Edo State.

Ogbeide-Ihama as such is the best route for Obaseki to sustain the legacy of the PDP in Edo State and that is the reason why he should re-incline himself in this popular direction.

Mani Ekpeneru writes from Abuja

Related Topics:Edo 2024 Ogbeide Ihama PDP

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Politics

Dino Melaye Reacts To Malami’s Arraignment For Money Laundering

Published

4 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Ex-Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the arraignment of a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye wished Malami well as he began his trial for corruption.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker recalled how he was prosecuted by Malami over what he described as frivolous cases while he was the AGF.

He wrote: “Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him.well.”

Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and another individual are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

They were arraigned on allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Politics

What PDP Said About Wike’s Media Parley

Published

5 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, of being a constant agent of provocation in the political space, alleging that he creates trouble to mask selfish intentions.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated this in a statement issued on Monday in response to Wike’s media parley with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, also held on Monday.

According to the PDP, remarks made by the minister on several occasions are proof that he falls short of being a locus classicus of anti-democratic adventurism.

The party said Wike’s conduct was not new, stressing that he has consistently acted as an agent provocateur in the political arena, stirring controversy to advance personal interests.

The PDP further stated that since Wike assumed office as Governor of Rivers State in 2015, he has remained a recurrent source of trouble within the party’s leadership.

“From the Sheriff era, where he was a forerunner in the Sheriff-for-National Chairman movement and later turned to fight and remove Sheriff; later he championed the Uche Secondus-for-National Chairman movement (in fact, he granted a very combustible interview that polarized the party just before the convention) and then was the same person fighting to remove Secondus.

“The same Wike led the movement to produce Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman against the advice of many party leaders, and so soon thereafter, it was Wike again who led the Ayu-must-go struggle.

“By his end-of-year media chat, Minister Nyesom Wike has reiterated his support for, and in fact declared that he is the ‘number one supporter’ of the presumptive candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 Presidential election, while remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, confirming the basis of his expulsion from the PDP, for anti-party activities,” the statement said.

Politics

JUST IN: INEC Excludes PDP From Ekiti Governorship Election

Published

5 days ago

December 29, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, and his deputy were conspicuously absent as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, released the provisional list of party candidates ahead of the election.

INEC on Monday posted the list of candidates from 12 political parties vying for the state’s top job at its office on New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The list shows that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is fielding the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, with Monisade Afuye as his running mate.

Other candidates include Opeyemi Falegan of the Accord Party, with Omoyemi Olaleye as deputy; Akande Oluwasegun of the African Action Congress, paired with Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye as running mate.

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress is presenting Oluwadare Bejide and Paul Olowoyeye, while the Action Peoples Party has Bidemi Awogbemi and Akinyemi Adewumi on its ticket.

The PDP’s absence may not be unconnected with the leadership crisis currently rocking the party at the national level.