Senator Neda Imasuen is eyeing another term at the Senate to represent Edo South, but some APC leaders are bent on stopping him. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR reports

The race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest the Edo South senatorial seat has begun. Senator Neda Imasuen currently occupies the seat. Those interested have started setting up political structures across the seven local government areas that make up Edo South. They are doing all they can within their political means to secure the support of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the leader of Edo APC.

Interestingly, the race for the APC ticket is crowded with political warlords who are serial contestants. They are incumbent Senator Neda Imasuen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Valentine Asuen, Lucky Imasuen, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama. Aspirants in opposition political parties are yet to declare their interest.

Past senators who have represented Edo South are Daisy Danjuma, Roland Owie, Ehigie Uzamere, and Matthew Urhoghide. Senator Uzamere was the first Edo South senator to return for a second term after he defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

His successor, Matthew Urhoghide, also got a second term, but previous senators from Edo South lost their seats after serving four years.

It appears there is a gang-up against the return of Senator Imaseun to the Senate. Political observers believed that it would be a herculean task for Senator Imasuen to win the APC ticket. He won the election riding on the 2023 Labour Party (LP) tsunami with Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate.

He recently defected to the APC and has since become a rallying force for the party. Imasuen served as a Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Urhoghide from 2015 to 2023. Urhoghide’s attempt to secure a third term failed when he lost the PDP primary. Senator Imasuen joined the LP and won the election against all odds.

Some APC leaders backing Imasuen said he remained the best to pick the party’s ticket, having empowered over 10,000 women, youths, and artisans under various support schemes. They argued that he spent two years in the Senate as an opposition LP member and needed more time there for Edo South to rank among the top senators, rather than having a neophyte in 2027.

A chieftain of the Edo APC, who pleaded anonymity, cautioned Edo South electorates against promoting a politics of cultural consideration and instead to support a process that would produce effective legislators, public servants, and political actors with strong relationships with their different constituents and underdeveloped communities.

He said it was time to embrace positive trajectories and to promote people with character and capacity to meet their expectations.

The chieftain cautioned that the concentration of power in the hands of those who see political office as an industry to promote their self-interest would be a drawback to Edo South, blessed with natural and human resources.

According to him, “The Benins must play more interest in the political process that will produce those to be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing their interest.

“They must take a closer look at anyone who had the opportunity in the past but wasted it on the altar of selfish interest, nepotism, and outright plundering of resources. This nepotic practice of favouring family members, and cronyism by Benins, which makes them favour friends or long-term associates, even when such persons are not qualified, has hindered good governance, promoted corruption, and led to inefficient public service in Edo South.

“Edo South people must look inward and stop raising dust where there is none. Placing unqualified individuals in key positions will continue to hinder their progress.”

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Pastor Ize-Iyamu has been a relevant player in Edo South politics and the state at large over the past 24 years. Pastor Ize-Iyamu has reportedly met with his supporters and informed them about his ambition. His shot at the governorship slot in 2016 and 2020 failed.

His supporters have taken to social media to drum up support for him. He knows how to play the game and is very calculative. Ize-Iyamu is the greatest threat to Senator Imaseun, as his structure has remained intact. He served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government to Governor Lucky Igbinedion between 1999 and 2007.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu was the brain behind the formation of the Grace Group, under whose platform Adams Oshiomhole rode to power in 2008. He is believed to have the backing of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Asuen was the APC State Youth Leader. He was also the APC candidate for Edo South in the 2023 general elections, but was defeated by Senator Imaseun. Asuen banks on the support of Oshiomhole and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa. He is currently the Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission. He is currently suspended from the APC for his alleged ambition to run for the Senate.

Matthew Urhoghide

Senator Urhoghide won election to the Senate twice under the PDP. He has reportedly informed Senator Imaseun of his ambition to return to the Senate. Urhoghide lost his bid for a third time to Matthew Iduoriyekemwen for a shot at the Senate.

Urhoghide is banking on Governor Okpebholo’s endorsement.

Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama

Ogbeide-Ihama served in the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2023. He is an ally of the Minister of FCT, Abuja, Nyesom Wike. He is said to be campaigning on a political arrangement between Governor Okpebholo and the legacy PDP group.

Lucky Imasuen

Lucky Imasuen was Deputy Governor of Edo State under Osarhiemen Osunbor. He was also Chief of Staff to Igbinedion. Imaseun lost at the APC primary to Asuen. (The Nation)