The contention for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election has been shaken up with the emergence of Engr Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as an aspirant and his endorsement by Edo South PDP leaders last Monday.
Among the Edo South political leaders who endorsed him on Monday after a mammoth crowd received him at the Benin Airport were some of the leading political actors from Edo South putting to question the prospects of Asue Ighodalo, one of the major aspirants believed to be backed by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Among the leading Edo South political actors who have endorsed him are a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Hon Charles Idahosa, senatorial leader of the party, Hon Idehen Ebomoyi, Deputy State Chairman of the party, Harrison Omagbon, State Woman Leader of the party, Mrs Tes Sorae, former Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Esosa Amadasun, Mr. Martins Osakue among others.
It is also commonly said that other Benin leaders including those outside the political space are supportive of an Edo South successor to Governor Obaseki on the claim that the outgoing governor was a prop from Lagos.
The endorsement of the Edo South leaders, it is believed, is expected to shake the political dimensions as it could reset the contest putting Ighodalo who has been endorsed by some Edo Central leaders without ascendancy in Edo South where Ogbeide-Ihama is very popular.
He became the first and so far only person to represent Oredo Federal Constituency twice in the House of Representatives in 2019 and is also believed to have strong political network through the Legacy Coalition that is weaved around PDP members who are in rivalry to Governor Obaseki.
Though Chief Dan Orbih is yet to openly indicate his preference, the inclination of the Legacy Coalition is likely to suggest his possible preference for Ogbeide-Ihama, a prospect that could further give him strong inroads into Edo North and a respectable support in Ighodalo’s Edo Central.
Expressing delight at the mammoth crowd that received him at the airport, the aspirant said: “What we are bringing is governance at its best. You can see the theme of my campaign is Edo New Vision. While we want to build on what is existing and commend those who have governed Edo State in the past, we also want to take it to another level, create a new vision that cuts across the divide in terms of education. How do we take it to be technological driven?
“How do we get our children to go with the global trend today? I am the bridge between the old and the young. I fit in as a youth and I am matured enough to govern the state.”
Speaking to party elders, he said: “I have the managerial experience and skills to be able to manage Edo State resources both human and resources to be able to drive development in Edo State that will satisfy you, your children and even those yet unborn. All these I have said, go home and think and you will know that who the cap fits is Ogbeide-Ihama.”
The Star