December 17, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its preparation for the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
As at last Thursday, the number of aspirants on the platform of the APC is 29.
APC is the main opposition party in the state and the decision by the party not to heed the clamour to zone the governorship ticket to Edo Central may see more aspirants joining the race.
Speaking on the high number of aspirants in the APC, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Peter Uwadiae, said the level playing ground the party has put in place was attracting aspirants to it.
He said, “I believe the level playing ground our party provides is the reason there are so many aspirants in the race. By the time we come out with guidelines, the serious contenders will emerge. It has also been made clear that there is no zoning. So members who feel they have the requisite capacity and credentials to lead Edo are indicating their interest.
“The reason we also have so many aspirants is because the party has become attractive in Edo. It is the belief that anyone who picks the ticket will eventually become the governor after the polls because of what transpired in recent elections”.
The aspirants on the platform of the party are made up of old guards and new entrants.
The state APC chairman, Col. David Imuse (retd) has also thrown his hat in the ring with serving senators and members of the House of Representatives also joining.
Among those who are jostling to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki is a spokesperson to General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) and former Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua and the APC candidate in the last election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Others are former Accountant-General of the Nigeria Army and Director of Finance administration of NDDC; Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd); Hon Festus Ebea; Victor Eboigbe; Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Omokhodion Bright and Thomas Okosun,
The APC governorship aspirants also include a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, former Governor of the State, Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo Central), Prince Clem Agba (Edo North), Mike Onolememen (Edo Central), Chris Ogiemwonyi (Edo South), Colonel David Imuse Rtd., (Edo Central) and senator representing Edo Central senatorial District, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
However, it appears Idahosa is having a head start among the aspirants. Apart from the coalition around him, he is said to have built a grassroots followership during his time as Commissioner for Investment, Public and Private Partnership during which he was head hunted by Governor Oshiomhole from Canada to join his administration in 2012.
At 43, he also cuts an iconic personality with the youths having excelled in real estate before venturing into politics.
Declaring his intention for the governorship two weeks ago, the two-time House of Representatives member, popularly called ‘Denco’, and “Mr Project,” said he would soon go around the local governments to campaign after formally informing his people in Ovia about his governorship ambition, adding that his legislative experience has deepened his capacity to govern the state.
“Power belongs to God. I declared my candidacy two weeks ago at my ward and have started campaigns and consultations with party leaders,” Idahosa told THEWILL during a brief chat to seek confirmation of receiving the backing of key leaders of the party.
Hon. Dennis Idahosa was born into a well cultured family from Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area. His continuing belief in the strength of community and family propelled him to support several persons in their educational pursuit. He has empowered several youth to start up small scale business and skill acquisition. He is constantly reaching out to the less privileged. He is involved in the Campaign against Drug Abuse and Cultism. He recently partnered with the Prince Harrison Ehimiyen foundation to spread the campaign against drug abuse and cultism, especially in Secondary schools.
Idahosa is seen as a man with clear ideas, governing philosophy and direction but he is not opposed to honest debate and discourse, as he believes there can always be a better way to approach a matter.
He is the CEO of Eagle Denco Company Limited with interest in construction, mining and Real Estate, and has been able to provide employment to several youths.
Idahosa is a former Edo State Commissioner for Investment, Public and Private Partnership and he is the current APC House of Reps candidate for Ovia South West federal constituency in Edo state.
Another strong aspirant is the former Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor who was born on October 5, 1951 in Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He attended P.T.T.C Demonstration Primary School Igueben from 1957 to 1962, then Anglican Grammar School Ujoelen Ekpoma from 1963 to 1968 and Holy Trinity Grammar School Sabongidaa-Ora.
He is a lawyer and politician who was a member of the Senate from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. He was re-elected in April 2003.
Osunbor was elected Governor of Edo State in April 2007 on the platform of the PDP. On March 20, 2008, the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal declared that his election was invalid and asked INEC to withdraw his certificate and declare Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress (AC) party the winner.
On November 11, 2008, a Federal Appeal Court sitting in Benin City upheld the ruling of the tribunal, declaring Oshiomole Governor of Edo State. The decision was based on several voting irregularities.
Also on the front seat in the APC is Mike Onolememen who was born in Uromi, Edo State, in 1965.
He began his education at Saint Anthony’s Primary School before moving on to Annunciation Catholic College in Irrua and finally the prestigious Kings College in Lagos.
Mike is a chartered architect and professional manager with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master of Science in Architecture, and a Master of Science in Construction Management from the then Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos, respectively.
He is a scholar-practitioner who holds a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States of America. He also holds a degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Massachusetts, the United States.
He is a fellow of prestigious institutes, including the Nigerian Institute of Architects [FNIA] and the Nigerian Institute of Management [FNIM], as well as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (FNIS), the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), the Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies (FAES), the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).
Dr Onolememen was appointed Minister of State for Defence in January 2007 and he held the position until the end of the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in May 2007.
Onolememen served as the Minister of Works between July 2011 and May 2015, during which time he implemented a number of strategic reforms in line with the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s transformation agenda.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
