EDO CENTRAL 2023: THAT APC MAY HAVE IT

By Francis Akhigbe

The Primary Elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have come and gone.

In Edo Central Senatorial District, the primary elections were to a large extent family affairs. Though there were some resentment in the conduct of the House of Assembly primary, that has since be sorted out and the dust settled.

The peace, acceptability, the pump and pageantry that greeted the outcome of the House of Representatives primary for Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, were clear signal that the APC and its candidate, Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake were fully prepared and set to take the bull by the horn to ensure victory in the election proper in 2023.

Reacting to the outcome of the primary, the number one Leader of Igueben Local Government Area, Barr. Ken Okoruwa Ihensekhien told The PEN Media Crew that with the matured and peaceful manner the primary was conducted, APC would coast home to victory if the leaders and members would repeat same before and during the election.

The elections are few months away, all the Political Parties are doing mosquito campaigns pending when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would lift the ban on campaigns.

Following the trends of political events in Edo Central Senatorial District, The PEN Media Network, Publishers of The PEN Online/Magazine, did a survey on the chances of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winning the election.

We are taking the candidate for the House of Representatives, Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake. Subsequently, we shall report the chances of other candidates.

The outcome of the survey on the chances of Dcn. Patrick Idiake was overwhelming. Most of the people spoken to were political stakeholders and it cuts across all the Political Parties in the Senatorial District.

Though they bore their minds, those in the other Political Parties warned that their names should not be in print because of their political positions.

Chief Simeon Omofuma alias Alhaji Fuma told the crew of The PEN Media that Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake had come a long way in the quest to represent his people. He said that his consistency and resilience have endeared him to over ninety percent of the people (Electorates) in Federal Constituency and that he was very optimistic that the next election will be overwhelming victory for Idiake and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 One of the Senatorial Leaders of the APC and Human Rights Lawyer, Barr. Casely Omo- Irabor said that he had heard much about Dcn. Patrick Idiake and that all he heard were positive remarks. He went further to say that he had always been a member of the Party, though he was not always around during meetings because of his busy schedule. He reiterated that from his personal assessment of Dcn. Idiake, he had already seen victory ahead for him and to seal the victory, he would be fully involved in the campaigns. He appealed to everyone to take Idiake's election with utmost dedication and Commitments.

A leader of the People's Democratic Party who recently defected to the APC, Mr. Johnny Okhiria alias Johnway  said that if there was anything that bothered him politically, it was Dcn. Patrick Idiake's election. He posited that Patrick Idiake has been a man after his heart because of his calmness inspite of all political odds.  He said  that he had been having nightmares for not supporting a man who have the interest of his family so deeply, that since he joined the APC, he had peace with himself. He appreciated the leaders and members of the Party for the zeal they had put in keeping faith alive by demonstrating that they have the capacity of winning the next House of Representatives election in the Federal Constituency. He made reference to the Primary that brought Dcn. Patrick Idiake as the candidate of the Party. According to him,"that primary is the first of all the primaries since 1999 in Edo Central Senatorial District where a contestant who lost congratulated the winner. And this is an indication that APC and Idiake are on the path of victory". He promised his total commitments to ensure that victory.

One of the leaders of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who would not want his name in print was visibly angry that his Party had played itself into the gallery. He asked rhetorically, " how can it be said that a Ruling Party in Edo State could not conduct clear cut primaries? According to him,"today, PDP is in political tangle. We don't even know who are our candidates in the 2023 Elections, we don't even have any leader as a reference point like Chief Tony Anenih of blessed memory. Those we looked up to were busy fighting for third tenure and today, PDP in the Senatorial District is what I may call putting the cart before the horse, no movement, no direction. I know who are my candidates especially for the House of Representatives in next year Elections. Paradventure, he is knocked out, I will not leave the Party, but stay to deliver my unit to Dcn. Patrick Idiake. But, mind you, I am not saying APC, but Dcn. Patrick Idiake. As I speak to you now, it will be a miracle for PDP to find its feet because of the greedy leaders we have.  I am watching. The end shall tell. Thank you".

Mr. Saturday Inegbenose alias Okayan in his submission said that whether Idiake would win the election or not will depend on his (Idiake)Ward. He sounded a note of warning to the electorates in Idiake's ward not to allow a repeat of what happened in the 2019 election where votes from his Ward was far below  expections. He advised the leaders of the Ward to go and put their Ward in order.

The Chairman of the Party in Esan West, Comrade Goddey Okhiulu alias Jealousy in his response to a question by the Crew of The PEN Media collaborated what the other respondents said, that victory was the only way out. He said that as the Chairman of the APC, Esan West, he had discovered that the most challenging factor the Party have is that some members have a flare for lies, black mail, pull him syndrome against others and this is borne out of envy and hatred. He said that since he discovered it, he had been able to check it to a large extent and that is why the Party is forging ahead in unity and peace. He promised to reach out to the Electorates whether in APC or other Political Parties because according to him, "next year Election is a litmus test for the APC". He appealed to all members of the Party who must have been aggrieved in one way or the other to sheath their sword and work assiduously for the Party because victory is sweet. 

Some groups like the Market Women Association, Edo Central who their Patron is Dcn. Patrick Idiake, Masses Interest Coalition (MIC), Secure Idiake for Reps. 2023, Sons and daughters of Illeh among others have also taken it as a challenge to deliver victory to Dcn. Idiake come 2023.

Across the Wards in Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, the song of victory for Dcn. Patrick Akhimiemona Idiake is the same.

The PEN Media Network, Publishers of The PEN Online/Magazine promise to always update you as political events unfold.