By DADA AYOKHAI
The scheduled Edo guber poll will be a tussle between a former “godson” and his erstwhile “godfather”, there is no unanimity, however, about who takes the diadem as the gladiators in the fray have dug deeper into their political trenches for maximum mileage and results.
The vibes coming from the godson is the readiness to call the bluff of the godfather and prove he’s come of age politically.
Of the three senatorial zones in the state namely: Edo North, South and Central, the fact is that, Edo North presents an interesting scenario because the zone is where the image of the godfather looms larger than life.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, from Edo South, is angling to complete a second term which the APC tried to scuttle. As a result, he along with his deputy moved over to the PDP and enjoys some respite as he no longer has to look back to find out whether Oshiomole and/or APC shadow is chasing after him.
However, the mother of all political battles is in Edo North. This zone presents a different scenario and the voting pattern depends on a lot of factors and how they play out before, during and after the election.
The main protagonists in the fray, that is, the current deputy governor and running mate to Mr Obaseki, Hon Philip Shaibu and his former godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, both hail from Uzairue clan in Etsako West LGA.
Whilst Shaibu is from Jattu, known as ward 11, Oshiomole is from Iyamho, ward 10, and it is anticipated that both men will fiercely engage in a likely fight to finish for Uzairue votes.
Though the voting pattern is a bit difficult to predict at this stage, the question about who overhauls the other agitates the minds of pundits. This is clearly the kind of match famous writer, late Chinua Achebe vividly captured in one of his famous narratives as, “once a handshake goes beyond the elbow it becomes a wrestling match”.
On his part, Hon Shaibu often told whoever cared to listen of his father-son relationship with Oshiomole. But Oshiomole’s posturings presents a different story, that of an “ingrate” who wants to inherit the father’s harem in a hurry.
The die is cast. The need for political survival and relevance has pitched both men in a political fray of immense proportions. Shaibu wants to wriggle out and assert his political freedom. Oshiomole, on the other hand, is a conservative godfather who wants to entrench and extend his political hold.
Hon Shaibu is aware of the tough duel ahead of him and has left nothing to chance. Young, vibrant and cosmopolitan, he has wasted no time in mounting the soap box to canvass for the critical Uzairue votes, the highest in Etsako west local government, that would enable him actualise his political ambition. His Jattu community which is the headquarters of the Uzairue clan as well as being credited with the highest voting population.
Hon Shaibu, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, slipped into political reckoning when he won election to represent Etsako West Constituency 2 at the Edo State House of Assembly.
Constituency 2 in Etsako West comprises the four wards in Uzairue and one of South Ibie. He won his re-election based on his vibrancy at the hallowed chamber and of course, the litany of constituency projects he facilitated.
Because of his sterling performance, the Uzairues when in need of a vocal and vibrant voice to represent them in the House of Representatives, opted for him.
Shaibu dusted his opponent at the pool to emerge as the first Uzairue person to represent Etsako federal constuency at the House of Representatives. He was in the House for a few months before the APC nominated him as running mate to Gov. Obaseki in 2016.
His critics however, claimed that his accomplishments was made possible as a result of the support he garnered from Oshiomole who was the Edo State Governor during the period under review .
Pundits have often wondered about the special bond between the comrade Oshiomole and his political godson, Hon Shaibu.
The godfather always props up his godson for any sensitive political post in the State thus, making pundits to dub their relationship as “godfather/godson”.
Until it fractured and both parties went their separate ways, Hon. Shaibu was untouchable.
It must be said, however, that Hon. Shaibu’s home boy factor may see him clearing the Jattu votes overwhelmingly at the poll.
What will, however, pose a hard nut to crack for Hon. Shaibu are wards 9 and 10 respectively.
Both wards forms a critical part of Oshiomole’s political homebase. The voters will resist any attempt to “disgrace” their benevolent son whose largesse to them is unprecedented.
The good network of roads, the location of a police barracks and a sprawling State owned University in lyamho and other political gestures have endeared the former governor to his people. It will even be regarded a serious security breach for Shaibu to even contemplate campaigning in that axis.
Whatever Hon. Shaibu may miss in wards 9 and 10, he stands to recoup in ward 12 where both men have an almost equal representation of their foot soldiers. The result of the ward may be hard to predict, but if the voting pattern follows known trend, Hon. Shaibu may as well beat his chest and say he is no more a push over in Uzairue politics.
Whichever way the pendulum swings, both Oshiomole and Shaibu possess what is required to nullify any advantage the other may have; one has federal might on his side, the other enjoys incumbency, the important fact to be noted is that ultimate choice lies with the electorate.
After the September election, the shape of politics in Uzairue in particular and Edo North in general will change. Whoever wins would have permanently sealed his pact with the people in future elections.
DADA AYOKHAI is an Edo based media consultant.
