The Edo State governorship poll had come and gone, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, governor-elect. Yet, governance may not be easy for the first-term governor, ASSISTANT EDITOR EMMANUEL BADEJO, writes on the personalities and issues that may shape the new political dispensation in the state.
The Edo state governorship election is over. The South-South state has returned to the All Progressives Congress’ fold, as its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who won the election, has also received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the umpire whose role it is to organise elections in the country.
After the exercise, INEC, which announced the result last Sunday, said Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. The third force, the Labour Party, did not spring the much-expected surprise as its candidate, Olumide Akpata, managed to get a lowly 22,763 votes
The governor-elect won in 11 local government areas while the PDP won seven. The APC won the six local governments in Edo North Senatorial District and two out of the five local governments in Edo Central Senatorial district.
While both the PDP and the LP might have started talking to their lawyers to probably challenge the election, plans to unveil the direction of governance are intensifying ahead of Okpebholo’s journey into Osadebey House on November 11, 2024.
Leaders of thoughts, who probably are mindful of the political climate are already expressing concern for good and impactful governance by the incoming APC government in the state.
Leading the call was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who on Thursday tasked the governor-elect to prioritise the state’s development.
He also assured him of the full support of the Federal Government and the Progressive Governors’ Forum.
Tinubu gave this advice at a meeting with the leadership of APC, when the Okpebholo, and the deputy governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa, presented their certificates of return to him.
The president emphasised the importance of good governance and delivering results to the people of Edo State, saying, “Governor-elect, you can now face the task of development.
We are here to work with you. You have seen the progressive governors of APC. They are truly progressive. Work with them. Learn the ropes, and I believe you are up to the task.”
Acknowledging the challenges of democracy, particularly in emerging economies such as Nigeria, the President added, “You have earned the victory. Democracy is difficult, particularly in emerging democracies and economies like ours.
“If you hear complaints from places like America, you know how difficult it is to navigate democracy. But it remains the best form of government.”
The President congratulated Senator Okpebholo and his deputy, describing them as a “good symbol of people ordained by God to work together.”
“You started as rivals and ended up as partners. You are a symbol of good understanding in politics; the man at our party’s helm has been through it before.
The President urged the party leadership and membership to remain united and focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Never mind the noise makers. I do a lot of statistical sampling and results. When you hear politicians saying ‘all politics is local’, you must respect that notion”, Tinubu counseled.
Those who could read between the lines have said that Tinubu’s charge and encouragement to the governor-elect may not be unconnected with several political issues Okpebholo and his co-drivers may have to contend with as he prepares to take over the reins of government.
The State House of Assembly
Interesting times await the incoming government in the state, as the Edo House of Assembly is dominated by members of the PDP. Out of 24 members, the PDP has 15 seats, APC eight, and LP one. The legislators’ tenure will end in 2027.
With the PDP-controlled House, concerns are mounting over how this numerical challenge may affect Okpebholo’s tenure. However, history shows that the challenge is surmountable. For state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, faced such difficulties in his first tenure but was soon able to woo members of the opposition. An even more poignant example is in Plateau State where Governor Caleb Mutfwang has skillfully neutralized the APC majority in the House of Assembly.
As it stands, it is obvious that the APC may not trust the leadership of the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, an ally of the incumbent governor who campaigned vigorously for Ighodalo. For that, the APC will not want him to continue in that capacity and would want to replace him. That won’t happen in a cordial environment.
Agbebaku is representing Owan West Constituency, in the Edo North Senatorial District. If he will be replaced, the new government may seek for another candidate from his constituency, particularly Owan West or Etsako.
Pundits are already foreseeing possible defections of the legislators since APC is ruling at the centre. According to them, the Okpebholo-led government will have to deploy carrot approach to woo many of the lawmakers to his side.
It is now left to be seen where the pendulum will swing either the PDP-controlled legislature will use its number to resist the APC-led government when it’s eventually sworn in or will the APC go the route of the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, who forcefully excluded some elected legislators and worked with fewer legislators?
Following invasion and destruction of the House of Assembly complex, Obaseki in June 2020, ordered that the House’s sitting should be moved to the Government House, in Benin.
Though the reason for the relocation was said to be ‘renovation’ of the complex, observers say the move was a deliberate attempt by the state government to prevent the 14 lawmakers in the seventh Assembly that were not inaugurated from having access to the Assembly sittings. The matter dragged on until their four years tenure ended in 2023.
With Okpebholo in the saddle, pressure might have commenced to return the legislators to their usual place of sitting.
Three judges Obaseki yet to swear in
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had approved the appointment of eight judges for Edo State High Court.
The eight judges are Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Edoghogho Eboigbe, Justice Ojo Maureen Osa, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Godwin Jeff Okundamiya and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.
But for reasons best known to him, Obaseki suspended the judges’ inauguration. Due to pressure and outcry that greeted that decision, five of the judges were inaugurated eleven months after the elevation.
Those inaugurated are: Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.
Defending the inauguration of the five justices, Chris Nehikhare, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, had been quoted as saying that there were petitions against some of the judges, adding that they would be sworn in immediately investigations were concluded.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in particular, described Obaseki’s action as an abuse of power and outright disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Citing the provisions of section 271(2) of the Constitution, the NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), said the governor’s failure to swear in the judges had occasioned an impairment to the justice delivery system in the state, adding that there is currently a paucity of Judges to attend to the increasing number of cases thereby overburdening the existing jurists in the state with great workload.
“The duty of the Governor of Edo State to swear in these Judicial Officers is a constitutional obligation and not one to be observed at the pleasure of the Governor. Consequently, the continued delay in swearing in the new judicial officers is an abuse of power and an outright disregard for the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“Furthermore, this delay has greatly impaired the financial means of the designated judicial officers who are all currently idling away without any means of sustenance for themselves and their families, as they can no longer, by virtue of their appointment as judicial officers, practice as lawyers,” SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, had said in a statement.
At the moment, the fate of the three judges yet to be inaugurated still hangs in the balance. This is another matter for the governor-elect Okpebholo to quickly address.
Phillip Shaibu’s status in the eyes of the law
The court had ruled that Mr. Phillip Shaibu is the deputy governor of Edo State. But Obaseki has another deputy, Godwin Omobayo. APC will most likely recognise Shaibu, citing respect for the rule of law.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja last month affirmed the lower court’s judgment that reinstated Shaibu as Deputy Governor.
The appellate court, while delivering judgment in the appeal brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly, dismissed the appeal seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment.
He was impeached on April 8, 2024, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, had said that while the report of the panel was unable to establish the case of perjury brought against Shaibu, the panel found him guilty of disclosure of government secrets.
Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on July 17, voided the impeachment and ordered his immediate reinstatement.
He held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and constituted gross misconduct.
He ordered the Inspector-General of Police to provide him with needed security to enable him to resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
The court warned that any individual, aside from Shaibu, parading themselves as deputy governor would face legal consequences.
The court also set aside the appointment of Omobayo Godwin as the new deputy governor, replacing Shaibu.
Shaibu, who had since returned to his former political godfather, Senator Oshiomhole, firmed up with the governor-elect to deliver the state for the APC.
It is certain therefore, that the APC will work towards recognizing him as the deputy and restoring all his rights and privileges.
Edo North/South push for reward
Another matter that may mount pressure on Monday Okpebholo is how his government will contend with sharing of positions and offices between Edo North, Central and South zones. It is clear that the governor-elect has lots of political IOUs to pay off.
Given its contribution to the election that produced the governor-elect, Edo North would want adequate compensation. The six local governments there voted massively for APC – providing an insurmountable gap that PDP couldn’t bridge.
Similarly, Edo South can make the same argument given that in Obaseki’s stronghold, APC was able to wipe out the margin by which he won in 2020, leave the North to decide the election. There will be pressure on Okpebholo to meet the gladiators at a middle point.
How he is able to respond to this agitation will lead to popularity or otherwise among the political gladiators in the state.
By-election to succeed Okpebholo/Idahosa
With Okpebholo and Idahosa assuming new roles, two seats will become vacant at the Senate and the House of Representatives. Jostling for the seats has already commenced.
The question remains: who succeed Okpebholo in the Senate and Idahosa in the House of Representatives?
While political permutations are rife, there is no shortage of capable hands in the Central zone to take over from Okpebholo at the Senate. Idahosa’s replacement may be more straightforward. Omosede Igbinedion who twice lost to the deputy governor-elect has shown interest in the race and is believed to be well placed to replace him.
Who is Okpebholo godfather?
Who is Okpebholo’s godfather? The governor-elect, appears to be a self-made politician. He rode on the wings of his populist ideologies to clinch the APC senatorial ticket.
This might be the reason Oshiomhole didn’t support him the governorship primary.
However, the Benin elite in APC, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu and others supported him. But, they wanted Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama as him running mate.
To promote unity and fairness, the APC settled for Hon. Denis Idahosa, who represents Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency at the House Representatives following Tinubu’s intervention.
Okpebholo’s rise in politics is characterised by a steady climb from grassroots to national prominence.
His grassroots experience is seen as a cornerstone of his political career, helping him build a strong connection with ordinary citizens and understand the challenges facing rural communities.
He has been a strong advocate for empowering women and youth. Through his philanthropic efforts, particularly the Monday Okpebholo Foundation, he has supported initiatives such as scholarships, healthcare, and vocational training for disadvantaged communities.
In 2023, Okpebholo was elected as the senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly, running under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
By 2024, he had emerged as a key figure in Edo State politics, winning the APC gubernatorial primary election and securing his party’s ticket for the governorship race.
His campaign focused on key areas such as agricultural development, youth empowerment, and rural infrastructure, which resonated with voters in Edo State, particularly in rural areas that had long been neglected.
On September 22, 2024, Okpebholo was declared the winner of the Edo State gubernatorial election. The state and, indeed, the country are waiting to see the style and substance of governance he would bring to the state. (The Nation)
