December 08, (THEWILL) – Some influential leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State have decided to back a dark horse, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the National Assembly for the ticket of the party in the 2024 governorship election.
The party, the main opposition party in the state but the ruling party at the seat of power in Abuja, has scheduled its primary for February 2024 for the upcoming governorship poll scheduled to hold in September next year.
Two credible sources with knowledge of the development told THEWILL that key leaders of the party in the state and Abuja have embraced Idahosa’s aspiration which prompted his governorship declaration at his Ward about two weeks ago and prompted the party to declare that it would not adopt the principle of zoning in choosing the party’s flagbearer. “There appears to be a consensus amongst our leaders that Hon. Dennis Idahosa should be supported to become the candidate of the party and eventually elected governor,” one of the sources said anonymously.
The State Party has ruled out zoning. “What we are looking for is capacity and ability to deliver and that is why we said there is no zoning, that is the message,” State Secretary of the APC, Lawrence Okah, said a few days ago.
Despite the clamour and sentiments in some parts of the state that the next governor of Edo State should come from the Central Senatorial district, the influential APC power brokers are building a solid winning coalition around Idahosa’s candidacy, the politician from the Edo South senatorial district who enjoys wide support amongst young and enthusiastic party members in his district.
A review of how the state has chosen its elected governors since 1992 shows that Edo South, the largest senatorial district in terms of population, has had a record three previous governors from the zone such as former APC National Chairman, Chief Odigie Oyegun, Chief Lucky Igbinedion for eight years and currently, Godwin Obaseki. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North governed for eight years. Edo Central has had only one governor in Professor Oserheimen Osunbor who was sacked by the Supreme Court for not being duly elected about a year and six months into his four year tenure.
There are other notable politicians from Edo South seeking the party’s ticket. They are Major General Charkes Airhiavbere, retd, Pastor Osaze-Ize Iyamu and ex-Senator Matthew Uroghide, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to APC.
The aspirants from Edo Central are Hon Festus Ebea, David Imuse, Victor Eboigbe, Thomas Okosun, Monday Okpebholo and former governor, Osunbor.
But it appears Idahosa is having a head start among them. 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 after 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.
About the Author
Amos Esele is the Deputy Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
