The people of Edo State will today, Saturday elect a new governor for the state.

They will have to choose who will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki between three major contenders.

Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and candidate of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata, SAN.

But the election is not just about the three candidates, it is also about ego between Governor Godwin Obaseki and former governor of the state and past national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki defeated him four years ago when he prevented Obaseki from contesting under the platform of the APC, forcing him to switch to the PDP under whose party he defeated the candidate of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Both Comrade Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki are not only doing a return match but they are desperate and want to win the election at all cost even when their names are not on the ballot.

But beyond this, the people of Edo State are the ultimate decision makers.

There are 2,629,025 registered voters while a total number of collected cards stand at 2,249, 780.

It is these 2, 249, 780 electorates that will decide who to elect as governor.

As it is, any of the three candidates is capable of winning the election today.

Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri yesterday pledged his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman,  Ambassador Umar Damagum.

The governor, who reflected on the division in the party over its interim leadership, reiterated his confidence in the ability of the acting chairman.

However, Osun State Governor Ademola urged chieftains to stick to the party constitution in whatever decision they may take on the PDP leadership question

Fintiri wrote on his X handle: “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights,”

He urged members to “respect the court ruling and uphold our democracy,” signaling his alignment with those favoring Damagum’s leadership.

Fintiri’s endorsement followed the split in thd PDP Governors’ Forum on whether to retain Damagum as the party chairman or shop for a replacement.

On Tuesday, a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) met with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who expressed dissatisfaction with Damagum’s leadership.

Mohammed said the party should replace him, saying that his tenure “untenable.”

He said the Northcentral zone is constitutionally entitled to fill the leadership vacancy because the last chairman,  who could not complete his tenure, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, is from the zone.

Mohammed said: “My brother from the Northeast is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate.”

The governor insisted that PDP should “ensure that the Northcentral is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”

However, at a separate NWC chaired by Damagum at Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde backed the interim leadership.

He said: “Let me say clearly that we are 100 per cent in support of the Damagum-led NWC.”

Adeleke: let’s follow constitution

Adeleke has urged stakeholders to adhere to the party’s constitution in seeking solutions to the crisis.

He said in a statement by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, that on the party constitution he stood.

Adeleke said:  “I stand by the constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.

“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.”

He added: “Our party must adhere to its constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”

The Board of Trustees (BoT) members yesterday held a meeting  with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly at the party secretariat in Abuja.

BoT Chairman.Adolphus Nwabara, Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and other members also met with Governor Mohammed in Bauchi.

Also at the meetings were Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip,  Ali Isa JC, and Pastor Ojema Ojotu.

A source said the  advisory body organised the meeting to  know the position of the National Assembly caucus on the crisis and obtain its advice.

A group of National Working Committee (NWC) members met with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday and got a message.

Another group led by Acting National Chairman Illiya Damagum met yesterday with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. They got another message.

While the Bauchi State Governor said the party would send Damagum packing because his stay had become untenable, Makinde said in Ibadan that he was giving 100 per cent support to the acting national chairman.

Mohammed hosted members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday at the time that Damagum was in Ibadan.

Reading the communique of his meeting with a faction of the NWC, he said: “My brother from the Northeast is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate.

“According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated.

“Northcentral has been eager for this opportunity, and we’ve discussed this issue.

“We are committed to working with the NWC and the party to ensure that the Northcentral is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”

He said such an arrangement was worked out after the resignation of Alh. Bamanga Tukur from the Northeast, when former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, became the PDP National Chairman.

The NWC team that met with Mohammed was led by the National Legal Adviser, Kamaluddeen Adeyemi.

With him were National Publicity Secretary Debo Olagunagba and National Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emmanuel Bovao.

Others were National Treasurer Ahmed Yayari, National Women Leader Amina Bryhm and National Financial Secretary W. A Daniel.

There were also DG-PDP Governors Forum Agbo Emmanuel and Consultant Agu Emmanuel.

But, Makinde pledged full support for Damagum, who was in Ibadan for the turning of the sod for the rehabilitation of the Ladoke Akintola airport.

The Oyo governor said: “I am glad also that our Acting National Chairman and members of his NWC are here.

“I was reading yesterday (Tuesday) that there was another meeting in Bauchi by some NWC members.

“Let me say clearly that I have been discussing with my brother and let me tell you that we are 100 per cent in support of Damagum-led NWC.

“Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition our party.

“Let me also say this: I don’t think this is the right time…Even if we have issues within ourselves, we have an important election on Saturday.

“So, we should all just rally around and deliver our candidate.”

Dispelling speculations that he is not in support of Edo PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, Makinde said: “I was away. I already fixed the meetings in Finland and Sweden when they fixed the Edo governorship grand finale rally. I couldn’t come.

“I thought I would manage to get to Nigeria that Saturday and tongues have been wagging that I wasn’t at the rally.

“Let me declare loud and clear that Seyi Makinde is 100 per cent with our candidate Asue Ighodalo in Edo State and it is the Edo people’s decision.

“If the people of Edo want to know the difference between delicious and nutritious, you should vote for Asue Ighodalo and deliver him as your next governor. He will give you nutrition.”

‘APC planting moles in Rivers PDP’

Mohammed accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately planting moles within the PDP in Rivers State.

The governor alleged that the ruling party’s strategy is to fuel internal divisions for political gains.

Mohammed made the accusations when the PDP BoT visited him.

Mohammed expressed concern over the ongoing power struggle within Rivers PDP between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the APC-led government.

He said: “We have to close ranks but it is something that is baffling some of us.

“No challenge is not insurmountable. It will be surmounted by the grace of God and we will find a solution to that and that is why there is a problem.

“It is only PDP with the experience of governance that is being challenged. And you will notice that this is a creation of the other side (the APC).

“They want us to be in disarray; the crisis is the creation of the APC. They always want to have moles within us; they want to know what is happening within us.”

Mohammed said efforts were on to unify the party, adding: “We cannot compromise the peace and unity of our great party.”

BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara commended Mohammed for his initiatives in resolving the crisis, expressing the BoT’s willingness to support his efforts.

Wabara said the BoT plans to engage the two factions in Rivers in separate meetings to address the issues.

Wabara further expressed disappointment with the ongoing challenges in the PDP, particularly the NWC’s actions and the leadership crisis in Rivers.

“We are not happy with what is happening in the party, and I think Nigerians too are not happy with what is happening in the PDP, particularly in Rivers,” he said.

(The Nation)