News Analysis

Battle For Edo Senatorial Seats Hots Up … Who Are The People’s Choices?

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By Sonde Ojeikere.

There is no doubt that Edo State, the Heartbeat of  Nigeria has always been known for its very high political intrigues.

The State has always been described as the hot bed of politicking, especially in the South-South geo-political zone.

At the moment, senatorial aspirants in the state are intensively preparing to clinch their party tickets and some of them have already demonstrated that they are political gladiators.

Our correspondent Sonde Ojeikere brings to you the political gladiators from the two foremost parties in the State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC) who want to be Senators in 2015.

Edo South

No doubt, Edo South Senatorial District can best be described as the hub of political activities in the State. The zone is made up of seven Benin Speaking Local Government Areas.

Those prominent in the race in the Senatorial District are:

Senator Ehigie Uzamere (PDP): He is the incumbent Senator representing the zone at the Upper National Assembly and can rightly be said to be the only Senator to have won a second term to represent the zone.

He had first dumped the PDP, on whose back he rode to the Senate in 2010, for the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now APC where he was offered the party’s ticket in 2011 against a more popular aspirant, Pharmacist Matthew Urhoghide, courtesy of the singular effort of  Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

This time, his aspiration of giving the seat a shot for a third term is still shrouded in secrecy owing largely to speculation that he may vie for the PDP governorship ticket in 2016.

Investigations have however revealed that PDP may once again settle for this bulky Senator as its senatorial candidate.

Matthew Urhoghide (PDP): He is a trained Pharmacist that has remained active in the political affairs of the State right from the ANPP days when he indicated interest to contest the governorship race.

He joined the then Action Congress (AC), which metamorphosed into the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and dumped the party for PDP, when he was denied the opportunity to fly the party’s senatorial flag, a development which pitched him against Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He rejected many offers and pressure to remain in the defunct ACN and consequently joined the PDP. Today, he is one of the hottest PDP aspirants who might emerge victorious at the primaries.

Patrick Obahiagbon (APC): Is the current Chief of Staff to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and a former member of the House of Representative on the platform of the PDP.

He later dumped the PDP for the defunct ACN, now APC. He is said to be a favorite of the Comrade Governor as he has indicated interest to vie for the senatorial ticket on the platform of APC. He is rumored to enjoy the blessing and backing of the governor to clinch his party’s ticket.

Samson Osagie (APC): He is a two-time member of the House of Representatives, representing Uhunmwonde/Orhrionmwon Federal Constituency.

In the APC, the battle is between Patrick Obahiagbon and Samson osagie. Osagie is unarguably one of the most experienced lawmakers in the state today.

Right now the diminutive law maker stands atop other contenders for Edo South APC ticket. He is said to enjoy the support of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

Edo Central: This is a district where the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih hails from. Fillers have it that aspirants vying to contest the seat against the incumbent Senator Odion Ugbesia, are at loggerheads.

Odion Ugbesia (PDP):  The battle for the PDP’s ticket in Edo Central, as it stands today is obviously between Ugbesia and Clifford Ordia, a Rivers State-based Engineer. Ugbesia, an-in-law to Tony Anenih, is said to be one of the major political beneficiaries of Anenih’s benevolence having been a Minister and presently serving out his second term at the Senate.

It was however learnt that he recently had it ugly with his political godfather who had advised him to jettison his ambition of returning to the Senate for a third term, an advice, it was gathered he rejected.

Clifford Ordia (PDP): He is the Chairman of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority and he is said to be favored by the party’s leadership owing to his commitment to the party.

He is said to have insisted that the party conducts free and fair primaries because of his belief that he will defeat the incumbent Ugbesia.

Theophilus Okoh (APC): The All Progressive Congress (APC) is alive today in Edo Central owing to the contributions of Okoh to the party’s structure.

Okoh’s strength, aside the fact that he lost the party’s ticket to Herbetta Okonofua in 2012, is that he remained to build what was left of the party.

While Okonofua dumped ACN for the PDP, Okoh’s loyalty to the APC may count in his favor this time around. Fillers have it that this oil magnet is said to be in tune with his people at the grassroots.

Francis Inegbeniki (APC): He is a political kingpin of the APC in Edo State and a staunch supporter of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He is said to command a large followership of party faithfuls in the Senatorial district.

Edo North: This is a district made up of six local government areas.

Richard Lamai (PDP):  He is considered the most formidable contestant today in Edo Senatorial race especially in Edo North where he narrowly lost to Senator Yisa Braimah in 2011.

A son of a former Senate, Lamai can leverage on his late father’s political base and tap into his personal goodwill among the grassroots due to his humble and generous disposition.

Pascal Ugbome (PDP): One of the respected members of Exco of Edo State PDP. He is admired by party members for his ability to introduce personalities at party functions.

His reliance on financial favors of his good friends within the State Exco will also diminish his chances, as most people consider him an imposition by the State Chairman of PDP.

Abubakar Momoh (PDP): Currently serving his second term in the House of Representatives, Momoh was also a Councilor and Local Government Chairman.

He is considered to be very politically savvy person who can give any contestant a run for his or her money.

He is a recent decampee from the APC. His entry into the race has caused some ripples among the members of the PDP State echelons, who view him largely as an outsider.

Senator Domingo Obende (APC): He is the incumbent member, representing the senatorial district at the Senate.

He was said to have fallen out with the PDP when it was obvious after many attempts that he was not favored by Anenih.

Today, he is one among the three APC Senators in the entire South-South geo-political zone. He is said to enjoy the backing of the Governor for a second term.

However, one of the snags against the Senator is the campaign by the Etsakos that it is their turn to produce the next Senator.

Professor Julius Ihonvbere (APC): He is the current Secretary to the Edo State Government. He once contested the PDP Governorship ticket in 2007 and lost to a fellow Professor, Osariemen Osunbor.

He is believed to be banking on his popularity as former governorship aspirant and the Oshiomhole connection to clinch the APC ticket.

Analysts however believe that the Professor of Political Science has lost the steam politically.

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