By Comrade Allen Sowore Esq
On September 22, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election, held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Senator Okpebholo secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.
Although the PDP has rejected the results, citing minor irregularities and breaches of due process during collation, this reaction is typical of many Nigerian politicians. Ironically, the process that brought Governor Godwin Obaseki into power in 2016 was more controversial, but that’s not the focus of this writing.
My primary intent here is to draw lessons and parallels between Edo State politics and the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election. Interestingly, in 2016, I was in Edo State to witness the election, after which I penned an article titled Órúngbóbò.
Now, having returned from the recent Edo election, I have come to the conclusion that its outcome offers a lesson for the PDP in Ondo State. As the Yoruba proverb goes, “The death that kills one’s neighbour speaks to one in proverbs.” If a tortoise, with its iron shield, can be consumed by fire, what hope is there for a chicken with its feathered wings?
If the APC can defeat Obaseki’s PDP in Edo, despite all the advantages of incumbency, what do you think will happen to the PDP in Ondo, a party waiting for proceeds from “Dodo Ikire” ?
I don’t intend to say much, but as the Bible teaches, I want to be my brother’s keeper. This message goes out to the political investors: Iku to Pa Ojugba Eni, òwe nla ló pa fún ni (The death that befalls one’s neighbour speaks to one in proverbs).
An African proverb says, “The fall of a dry leaf is a warning to the green ones.”
Another striking lesson from the Edo election is how the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Olumide Akpata, came in a distant third, with a total of 22,763 votes. The “Obedients,” despite all the media hype and fanfare, fizzled out without making a meaningful impact.
Being in Benin City, I witnessed firsthand the strategy, tenacity, and commitment of the progressive governors—the sleepless nights and sacrifices made. Winning an election is no child’s play.
Edo and Ondo states share similarities. Both have 18 LGAs, and just as in Edo, political gladiators in Ondo are leaving the PDP to join the APC ahead of the November 16th governorship election. These parallels lead me to conclude that the outcome in Ondo will likely be a significant defeat for the opposition PDP, as I saw the same process unfold in Edo.
Finally, the elders say, Eniti Sàngo bá tójú e wòle, kò ní bá wón bú Oba Kòso (Whoever Sango spares dare not speak ill of him). The defeat that awaits PDP in Ondo state will be shellacking!
Comrade Allen Sowore Esq
SSA to Ondo State Governor on Strategic Communication
September 23, 2024
