Edo 2016: Symptoms of a general malaise

The upcoming Governorship election in Edo state exemplifies all that is wrong with the way and manner in which democracy plays itself out in Nigeria. Slander, libel, spurious allegations, incitement, decamping, attempted and successful assassinations, destruction of property, shocking revelations, grievous bodily harm and allegations of intention to rig have all been part and parcel […]

The upcoming Governorship election in Edo state exemplifies all that is wrong with the way and manner in which democracy plays itself out in Nigeria. Slander, libel, spurious allegations, incitement, decamping, attempted and successful assassinations, destruction of property, shocking revelations, grievous bodily harm and allegations of intention to rig have all been part and parcel of the process in the run up to the polls. The campaign of calumny and lies by all parties has created tension in the State and prepared the grounds for violence and subsequent litigation. Nineteen political parties are participating in the polls, but to all intents and purposes it boils down to a race between the big two.
Although Lucky Igbinedion and Adams Oshiomhole aren’t contesting, their performance in office is a major factor. For many the polls represent an opportunity to pass judgement on administration by both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Allegations of APC abusing State power to stifle opposition are rife. The PDP claims they weren’t allowed use of the Stadium or any government school grounds for their campaigns, and that removal of their banners and posters from public places was “officially sanctioned”. Indeed the display of Godwin Obaseki’s APC posters on every street light lamp post and all public property to the exclusion of all other candidates offends the sensibilities of the neutral.
Unfortunately for their supporters the PDP is going into the election in a shambles with a divided house. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has even gone as far as to say that the Party is in a “coma and needs intensive care!” He doesn’t expect them to win because in native parlance “a man whose house isn’t in order cannot lead people outside!” In charge of one PDP faction is “Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee” former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. The other faction is led by “Acting National Chairman” former Borno State Governor Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Pastor Ize iyamu is the Ahmed Markafi led faction candidate, while Matthew Iduoriyekemwen is the Ali Modu Sheriff faction candidate. In the midst of this confusion INEC says that only the PDP logo will appear on the ballot paper and it will be left to the Courts to eventually decide who the rightful candidate is.
The upcoming Edo State election will be the first statutory election held under the new INEC leadership who are gaining an unsavoury reputation for inconclusive polls. There is every reason to expect the exercise to follow the recent trend of a protracted process involving casting ballot papers, followed by a decision as to whether the election is conclusive or not, then followed by initial litigation at the Election Petitions Tribunal followed by lengthy appeals up to the Supreme Court before swearing in. Although politics is supposed to be about issues that affect people’s everyday lives, in Edo State just as elsewhere nationwide it’s all about personalities. Very little has been heard of any real plans to make Edo State economically viable and convince the legions of Edo citizens who have abandoned the State to return.  Rather in the absence of any detailed manifestos the election is a battle between characters. The election is supposed to be a litmus test for the APC’s popularity given the opposing pulls of Oshiomhole’s commendable performance and the suffering due to economic recession. However shorn of all pretence at sophistication it really boils down to a choice between PDP factional candidate Pastor Ize Iyamu and the APC candidate Godwin Obaseki.  As far as the APC are concerned Ize Iyamu isn’t fit to be Governor because he is politically inconsistent. Before his nomination as PDP candidate he was a member of APC and Chairman of Oshiomhole’s 2012 re-election campaign. Although he denies it APC believes he shares a large portion of the blame for the failed Igbinedion Administration. 
In truth Igbinedion’s non-performance in office has remained an albatross round the necks of PDP in Edo State because undeniably he left the State in ruins. It’s difficult for any of those involved with Igbinedion to sell any sincere message about the future when they collectively destroyed the past. As Secretary to State Government (SSG) under Igbinedion, Ize Iyamu is alleged to have signed off on so many contracts which were never executed. On the other hand as far as the PDP are concerned Godwin Obaseki is not fit to be Governor because he is a stooge of Oshiomhole. They believe that as a “Chief Economic Advisor” who never studied economics, he is only being placed there to cover the Comrade Governor’s tracks by ensuring there is no probe of his administration. He has absolutely no experience in public administration and there are also rumours that he is a representative of the private investor to whom Oshiomhole owes so much. It is a sad indictment of our politics that the lives and fortunes of millions of people have been reduced to these most pedantic of arguments.