If the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State were searching for any real indications that the All Progressives Party (APC) in the state are apprehensive about their chances of retaining the Governor’s seat after the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, the postponement of the electionon Thursdayevening has given them the answer.
Following the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC's) decision to push the date of the election to the28th of September, from the earlier scheduled date of Saturday September 10th, citing security reasons, PDP's supporters have smelled blood. To them, APC and its governorship candidate Godwin Obaseki are seriously on the back foot and they genuinely believe that they can muster enough for the final push to ensure that their candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu wins.
News Expressspoke with some PDP members and supporters of Ize-Iyamu and the widespread opinion from their camp was that the APC orchestrated INEC’s decision.
“They (APC) are afraid of pastor (Ize-Iyamu). You don’t mess with that man,” a PDP supporter said with a wry smile. Another added: “They (APC) will still lose, whenever the election is held.”
Ironically, the PDP supporters are drawing some confidence from the last presidential election that was postponed by INEC (citing security concerns) under a PDP presidency, which eventually saw the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC as winner.
“The APC was energised last year when the presidential poll was shifted from its earlier announced date and they went on to win. We feel energised now because we know we are on the ascendency here in Edo and the shift in the election fuels our belief all the more that we are going to win it,” a PDP insider said.
Despite the official public condemnation of the postponement of the governorship election, the state’s PDP leaders are said to be careful about not generating apathy and lack of confidence among its supporters. News Express understands that the PDP are going to continue energising its base and convince undecided voters with the message that the APC are imploding and that Obaseki is not strong enough to govern.
Meanwhile, rumours of a messy quarrel between Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy Pius Odubu have been spreading like wildfire. The rumours (which are being cited by the PDP as a clear case of the Edo APC imploding) have it that the Deputy Governor confronted the governor at the Government House over allegedly influencing the decision to postpone the election to September 28 so close to the coronation of a new Oba of Benin.
The Governor has warned those who are mixing tradition with politics to choose between the two as he (Oshiomhole) is at the moment concerned about how to deliver his candidate who is right now facing challenges as shown by opinion polls.
