Politics: Beating the drum of violence in Edo state

The governorship election in Edo state is less than two months and the atmosphere is already charged with campaigns already on the roll. According to the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 14 candidates will jostle for the Osadebe House. In spite the number of contenders, the contest is a two-horse race between the incumbent Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki who is the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The two candidates were contenders during the last contest in 2016. While the eventual winner, Godwin Obaseki, contested under the platform of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu contested under the platform of the PDP. Obaseki’s victory at the 2016 poll had the influence of the then governor but now estranged godfather of Obaseki, Adams Oshiomhole, who threw his weight behind the incumbent. During the campaign, he told electorates that Obaseki was the brain behind the success of his administration.

However, the resolve of governor Obaseki to draw a line between politics and governance was the genesis of the rift between the godfather and godson. This rift climaxed with the disqualification of the governor by the screening committee set up by the national headquarters of the APC under the leadership of Adams Oshiomhole as the national chairman. His disqualification paved way for him to join the PDP and eventually became the candidate of the party ahead of the September 19 election.

The rift between the two however sets a worrying pedestal in the build up to the election. On July 25, members of both parties engaged in violent conduct at the entrance to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, when the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Governor Nyelsom Wike led some PDP Governors to the palace to seek the blessing of the monarch as the party flagged off the campaign.

Meanwhile on the same day, the Ewuare II was performing the dedication of a new prince, which attracted prominent personalities including a dance group headed by Tony Adun, a chieftain of the APC. The dance group was reportedly awaiting the arrival of Captain Hosa Okunbor, and Ize-Iyamu when the violent clash erupted.

While addressing members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who visited him and his deputy recently, Obaseki said, “Nobody has monopoly of violence, if they want violence we will show them violence. So if you see anybody smashing any car because my sticker or poster is on the car, let us know, we will show that person we are in government.”

But in response, Oshiomhole on a television programme on Monday said the APC in the state would not fold its arms and watch Obaseki and the PDP violently steal Edo peoples’ mandate. He emphasized that the party in the state “will meet violence with violence.”

Bookmakers are worried that the tone adopted by the two gladiators poses threat to the peaceful conduct of the election.

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