By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.
Just like the first rain in every year to a farmer so it is to Edo state people about the bad reputation of PDP who carved a bad image for itself in the state. People readily remember the eight years of PDP leadership under Chief Lucky Igbinedion between the periods 1999 to 2007. It is proven to be true as one of the worst periods the people had experienced since the creation of the state when there was a complete infrastructural breakdown as evident in the lack of good roads, poor workers moral, poor education, poor health facilities, and increase in crime.
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Indications emerged that the PDP will not find it easy in the governorship election in Edo state due to a number of reasons as the gubernatorial election continues to gather steam and many party aspirants are vying to occupy the number one seat in the state. A lot of factors will certainly determine how people vote but the major consideration will be how leaders of the different political parties showcase their administrative ingenuity and sagacity. How best they will manage the post party primaries crisis will be a hallmark. There is particularly going to be a case study for young politicians in Edo State as the two leading political parties’ battle for the soul of the state based on the issue of Godfathers` relevance and party supremacy.
The party (PDP) seems to have learnt no lessons from the past 2015 general election and the ongoing corruption/financial misappropriation trials of the major players (DasukiGate) including some notable PDP chieftains in Edo state. The leadership of the party in the state has not changed. The matter has even been made so bad that some of those who played major roles in the Lucky Igbinedion`s administration are now back to the party's mainstream and calling the shots. This has not gone down well with the people of the state who believe that those who are supposed to be in jail for destroying the economy of the state during Lucky Igbinedion`s administration are now back to take control; vying for number one seat in the next election especially to become our dear state governor after Comrade Adams Oshiomhole`s tenure this year, 2016. We cannot go back to the bad days in Egypt-God forbids!
The deciding factor for winning in Edo State has little or nothing to do with performance in office of the incumbent governor as many often preached but to a greater extent how the party's foot soldiers will help mobilize support for the party`s candidate as to say the least, most of the leaders are too self centered and their people have identified them as not good enough to be their leaders any longer. That is why more people continue to leave the PDP for the APC. The state has prominent PDP members like Chief Anenih, former works minister, Mike Onolememen, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, Chief Tom Ikimi and many others. PDP members will not be allowed to determine its political future rather than its political future will be determined by leaders perceived to be loyal to one national leader of the party that is retiring into his private life conditionally.
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Another major problem of the PDP is that the ruling party (APC) in the state has more technocrats, developers, sincere and dutiful aspirants whose manifestos are sell-able products for a win-win-scenario in this forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. For example, Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan (MNIA), Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Godwin Obaseki, Pedro Obaseki, Mr. Ken Imansuangbon, Senator Osunbor, Dr. Pius Odubu (Incumbent deputy governor) and host of others.
With the aforementioned caliber of APC`s aspirants, again and again, Edo state people say in thunderous echoes that they will never go back to those old days in Egypt as in the days of PDP in Edo state.
...to be continued.
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