Fatshimetrie
The governorship election in Edo State, Nigeria, has generated a great deal of interest and controversy. In the poll, Okpebholo won with 291,667 votes, beating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who got 247,274 votes.
Even before the results were announced, the PDP contested the conduct of the election, alleging fraud. However, in addition to this allegation of electoral fraud, several other reasons contributed to the PDP’s defeat.
First, the conflict between the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, played a major role. Despite their past alliance, political dissensions erupted between them, thus jeopardizing the PDP’s chances.
In addition, Obaseki also faced tensions with the traditional establishment, particularly the palace of the Edo king. The dispute over the banning of the Okaigheles, a group of youth leaders, created a confrontation between the state government and the palace, thereby weakening the traditional support for the PDP.
Furthermore, the alleged betrayal of key members of the PDP further weakened the party. Influential political figures in Edo State, who could have guaranteed an electoral victory, turned against Obaseki, accusing him of betraying them. This loss of support from key party members hampered the PDP’s chances of success.
Furthermore, the negative perception surrounding Asue Ighodalo, who was seen as an outsider by some voters, also played a role in the PDP’s defeat. The narrative that Ighodalo was not a genuine candidate damaged his credibility among voters.
Finally, Obaseki’s lack of real political clout was a determining factor. Despite his status as a sitting governor, Obaseki failed to muster the political resources to secure his party’s victory.
In sum, the governorship election in Edo State highlighted a series of challenges and obstacles that the PDP had to face. Between internal political rivalries, tensions with the traditional institution and negative perceptions, several factors contributed to the party’s defeat in this crucial poll.