As electioneering for the gubernatorial election in Edo State slated for September 21 gathers steam, political parties have intensified their strategies at outwitting one other and emerging victorious at the poll.

Godwin Obaseki, incumbent governor of Edo State of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is rounding off his second and final term in office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published a list of seventeen candidates for the poll, which include sixteen male and one female candidates.

Patience Ndidi of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is the only female candidate on the list.

The leading candidates are; Asuerinme Ighodalo of the PDP; Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

In recent weeks, the stage is heating up in Edo State and there is also keen interest among the electorate on the candidates and their agenda to reposition the state on the path of prosperity.

There have been alignments and realignment among the political actors in recent weeks within the political parties in what is expected to be a fiercely and keenly contested gubernatorial election.

Part of such re-alignment seen recently is the throwing of weight behind the candidacy of Ighodalo by the Obidient movement.

The Obidient movement was birthed in the build-up to the 2023 general election, organised by multiple small groups who have the common goal of unseating the establishment. Using then LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi as a channel to air their hopes and vent their anger.

Young Nigerians, who say they have grown tired of older politicians, campaigned online and held peace walks across Nigeria, mobilising behind Peter Obi. Obi was considered more youthful and ready to make the needed transformation in the country.

The impact of the movement was felt when it powered the Labour Party to a stunning performance at the February 25 presidential and national legislative elections. To date, LP has one elected governor, 35 members of the House of Representatives and eight senators to its credit.

Analysts say the group’s support for Ighodalo is significant because Edo State is seen as the support base for the Obidient movement and with strong ground work, especially at the grassroots, it would be a massive boost for the PDP’s candidate.

According to LP officials, Edo as the capital of the Obidient Movement contributed over 75 percent of the total votes cast at the last presidential election.

In Edo, there is increased clamour that power must shift to Edo central and that a candidate from that region must succeed Governor Obaseki after he rounded off his tenure.

Although the decision of Obidient Movement to support Ighodalo rather than the LP’s candidate, Akpata, came as a surprise to observers, many people within Edo State say that it is right decision.

Akpata hails from Edo South and considering that Edo South which has the bulk of the voting population had ruled the state twice by the time the incumbent completes his tenure and Edo North ruled once in the Adams Oshiomhole administration, the popular views was that power must shift to Edo Central for justice and fairness.

Although the APC’s Candidate, Okpebholo also hails from Edo Central but the Obidient Movement say they are supporting Ighodalo’s candidacy on the basis of his capacity, competence, track record, integrity, intellect and commitment to good governance.

The group said Ighodalo can actualise its aspiration and build on the work already done by incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, in order not to derail the thirty-year development plan of Edo State government.

Speaking exclusively to BusinessDay Sunday, Chris Nwaokobia, convener CountryFirst Movement, and one of the leaders of the Obidient movement, said among the other gubernatorial candidates, Ighodalo was the best that could transform Edo State.

He promised to work

“For me supporting Asue’s candidacy is about competence to deliver, integrity, commitment for the common good of the people.

“If you were to recruit a teacher for your children and you see Asuerinme Ighodalo, Okpebholo Monday, Olumide Akpata, who would you choose out of the three?

“If you were to recruit who would manage your economy, who would you recruit out of the three? If you want someone to rule your house, who will you recruit out of the three major candidates based on their qualities,” he said.

Nwokobia further stated that since other zones had ruled the state, it was important that Edo Central get the opportunity to rule this time around.

He stressed that the movement would work actively towards mobilising 150,000 votes, he added that there were plans to work actively to actualise the target for him.

According to him, “For me, it is what works for justice, since 1999, the Edo south have ruled twice, we had the current governor, Godwin Obaseki is from Edo South and we have had Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North who ruled the state twice in Eight years.

“Before the 2023 general election, the thought was that the South East was relegated and in line with the call for justice and fairness which is why we moved to Peter Obi candidate.

“Remember PANDEF, Afenifere backed Obi candidacy because of calls for justice, fairness to South-eastern Nigeria. It would be against my conscience for me to want someone from Southern Edo State to succeed Godwin Obaseki.”

Speaking further, Nwokobia added, “Asue’s candidacy is based on demand for capacity; it is what works for the common good and he would bring prosperity to Edo State.

“Moreover, he is the only one that has come out with a clear agenda and manifesto and it sits with me. His manifesto captures what he would be doing in Edo State for the next four years if elected the governor of the state.”