Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, is gearing up for a showdown against his former protégé, Godwin Obaseki, in the battle for control of the state’s political machinery.
The recent primary election in the state has added a twist to the political drama, potentially derailing Oshiomhole’s ambitions in his latest power struggle with Obaseki.
The APC primary, intended to select the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September election, has led to the emergence of three contenders – Dennis Idahosa, Anamero Dekeri, and Monday Okpebholo – as different factions within the party rally behind separate candidates.
Oshiomhole, backed by the APC’s national leadership and governors, threw his weight behind Idahosa, a 43-year-old House of Representatives member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency.
Idahosa’s candidacy, supported by influential figures including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is seen as a bid to wrestle control from Obaseki, who hails from the same senatorial district.
However, the emergence of Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has introduced a new dynamic into the race, advocating for “equity and fairness” in governance and challenging the dominance of Edo South in state politics.