By Eben Enasco
The Edo State gubernatorial election has come to an end, and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressive Congress APC, has been declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Peoples Congress secured 291,667 votes, defeating Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who got 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party LP, who came third with 22,763 votes.
Fourteen other candidates contested the seat but got less than the three frontline candidates.
However, the election was not without controversy, as opposition parties, including the PDP and Labour Party, have joined Yiaga Africa, a non-governmental organization, in condemning the credibility of the poll.
At a press conference in Benin City, Edo State capital, a coalition of 51 Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accredited observer organizations presented its findings on the recent governorship election. Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, convener of the centre, and secretary Osaretin Omo, emphasized that the report is unbiased.
Notably, this coalition’s stance differs from that of Yiaga Africa and the Center for Democracy and Development CDD, which criticized the election’s conduct.
This development highlights the diverse perspectives on the election’s conduct, underscoring the importance of impartial observation and reporting.
Despite initial hopes that this election would be one of the best conducted in the country, reports from situation rooms have raised concerns.
The APC’s unified front during the election has left a scar on their political opponents, who accuse the electoral umpire of failing to conduct a credible poll.
But the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, party’s internal dynamics was the ultimate syndrome that posed a major challenge to delivering on their promises, as various interests within the leadership structure led to infighting.
The APC also had infighting but managed to agree to focus on the election.
Just like multiple people can’t control one TV with different remotes, the APC’s different factions and unstable elements within the PDP came together to achieve victory.
However, this unity may be short-lived, as party leaders seeking personal interests above the will of the people may hinder Senator Monday Okpebholo’s ability to deliver dividends of democracy.
The Challenges Ahead
Internal Power Struggle within The APC’s leadership structure may face even worse similar difficulty like PDP had in delivering promises due to various interests.
The internal rangling between some Party leaders in APC, who want to be seen as Omini could heighten the rifts at some point and this has the capacity to bring about factions in the party.
The relationship between Pastor Ize Iyamu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is a leap service that could be the first test by all miles.
Recall how this played during the primary election of the APC, a party which almost ruined their chances.
Now that they have obtained the seat of power, Edo People are hoping that the abated indifferences in the party wouldn’t lead to a stern faction looking at individuals mounting all corners to have their interests not only captured, but retained.
Remote Control Politics by leaders of the APC, with Okpebholo holding a Television Set is a sensed danger amongst Party leaders seeking personal interests that could hinder Senator Okpebholo’s ability to deliver dividends of democracy.
In APC, hundreds of leaders are holding different remote controls where Okpebholo is holding one Television Set.
At some point, the 100 leaders holding 100 remote control would desire to tune in to a program of their choices with the only Television box left hanging with Okpebholo and the rest is history.
This credibility concern is a testament to infighting within the party that was packed in a slur to allow them to contest the Governorship poll, which they have now won by INEC decision
As the APC settles into power, it remains to be seen whether they can put aside their differences and work towards the people’s interests.
Will Senator Okpebholo be able to tune into the needs of the Edo people, or will internal party politics and several remote on one Television set get in the way? Only time will tell.
