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Published on 2024-02-17 14:10:36
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state is experiencing a series of setbacks as the governorship election slated for September 2024 draws near. The latest blow to the party comes in the form of Ernest Umakhihe’s withdrawal from the governorship race, closely following the withdrawals of two other aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma. The withdrawals have sent ripples within the APC and raised concerns about the party’s preparations for the upcoming election.
Ernest Umakhihe, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, made the decision to step down from the race on the platform of the APC. His withdrawal, as stated in a document dated February 16 and published in The Punch on February 17, was aimed at fostering peace and unity within the party. Umakhihe also threw his support behind Dennis Idahosa, a youthful representative of Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives, whom he described as “the choice of the party.”
The withdrawals by Umakhihe, Ize-Iyamu, and Agbonayinma have significantly altered the dynamics of the APC’s gubernatorial primaries, leaving only nine of the 12 cleared aspirants in the race. There are speculations that party leadership, both at the state and national levels, have favored Dennis Idahosa to secure the ticket.
The troubling turn of events within the APC in Edo state has also been further compounded by the beef between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu. The governor has been criticized for shunning a handshake with Shaibu at a public event, exacerbating the rift between the two. This has raised concerns over the party’s internal cohesion and its readiness to face the challenges posed by the forthcoming governorship election.
Despite these setbacks, the APC remains determined to regroup and reaffirm its position as a formidable force in Edo state politics. The forthcoming election is expected to be a litmus test for the party’s ability to navigate through the current challenges and present a unified front in the face of intense competition from rival political parties.
At this critical juncture, the APC’s leadership and members are confronted with the task of uniting the various factions within the party and devising a cohesive strategy that can rejuvenate its prospects in the run-up to the election. Whether the party can surmount these challenges and emerge as a strong contender in the 2024 governorship race remains to be seen. However, the recent developments within the APC in Edo state indicate that the road ahead is fraught with obstacles and uncertainties.
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