As the ban on campaigns for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State is lifted, political parties are intensifying their efforts to secure victory. However, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, and his main supporter, Governor Godwin Obaseki, are facing challenges as former party members and associates join forces against them.
One of the leading groups opposing the PDP is the Legacy Group, led by Chief Dan Orbih, the party’s National Vice Chairman (South-South). Members of the group, spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, have vowed to repeat their actions during the previous national election. They openly supported opposition candidates in Edo Central, resulting in significant losses for the PDP.
The Legacy Group in Edo South recently expressed their dissatisfaction with Governor Obaseki, accusing him of abandoning them after helping him secure re-election. They issued an ultimatum for the governor to meet with them and outline his plans for the upcoming election.
The Edo North chapter of the PDP also gave a ‘yellow card’ to Obaseki and his preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Chief Orbih announced his rejection of the PDP campaign council and stated that Ighodalo is not the way forward for the party and the state. He declared that the Legacy Group faction would support any candidate who represents the interests of the people.
Chief Orbih further criticized Governor Obaseki for removing his former deputy, Philip Shaibu, describing it as a political vendetta. He expressed solidarity with Shaibu and emphasized that the Legacy Group is proud of him.
Kabiru Adjoto, a former speaker of the state house of assembly and a close associate of Obaseki, has also turned against him. Feeling slighted and betrayed for not being rewarded for his loyalty, Adjoto has aligned himself with the Legacy Group.
With these challenges, Obaseki and Ighodalo face an uphill battle in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. They will need a miracle to overcome the opposition posed by the Legacy Group and other obstacles they are currently facing.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
