2024 Polls: Political Campaigns Resume Ahead of Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections

With the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests now behind them, political parties have resumed their campaigns in Edo and Ondo States. The governorship elections are scheduled for September 16 and November 16, 2024, respectively. The three dominant parties in these states are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP).

A total of 17 political parties have put forward 34 governorship candidates and their running mates across these two states. The combined electorate in Edo and Ondo States is around 4,682,086 voters. As the election dates draw closer, concerns about potential violence and disruptions related to election personnel, materials, and voting processes are increasing.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who chairs the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), recently addressed these concerns. At an ICCES meeting in Abuja, he highlighted the risk of interference by armed actors and called on security agencies to remain vigilant to ensure a smooth electoral process.

Nuhu Ribadu, deputy chairman of ICCES and National Security Adviser, echoed these concerns. Represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security in the Office of the NSA, Ribadu stressed that any attempt to disrupt the election would be treated as a serious threat to the nation’s democratic values. He assured that anyone trying to undermine the peaceful conduct of the elections would face the full force of the law.

In Ondo State, the PDP recently inaugurated a 500-person campaign council to support its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi. Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who leads the PDP’s national campaign council, promised stakeholders that the PDP would achieve victory in Ondo similar to his success in Osun. Key figures in the council include Eddy Olafeso, who will serve as Chairman, and Clement Faboyede, who has been appointed as Director-General.

Governor Adeleke expressed confidence that the PDP would repeat their success in Ondo as they did in Osun, emphasizing that the party’s approach would be peaceful and issue-based. Ajayi expressed his gratitude for the support from Adeleke and other party leaders, believing it would help the PDP claim victory in the November election.

Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is working hard to secure his position. Recent political shifts have seen several associates of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko join the APC. This move includes notable former PDP members and former government officials such as Ebenezer Alabi, Jide Adejuyigbe, and Joseph Akinlaja. These defectors have pledged to support Governor Aiyedatiwa in the upcoming election.

The Labour Party in Ondo State is currently experiencing internal strife over its candidate. Chief Olusola Ebisemi and Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi are both claiming to be the party’s official nominee. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, insists that Olorunfemi remains the legitimate candidate following the party’s primaries. However, Ebisemi has presented a letter of withdrawal purportedly signed by the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, adding to the confusion.

In Edo State, a recent town hall meeting organized by the Unuedo Renaissance group featured discussions with candidates about their visions for the state’s development. Asue Ighodalo (PDP), Olumide Akpata (LP), and Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen (ADC) presented their plans for the state’s future.
Ighodalo promised to improve education and security, build on the current administration’s achievements, and attract investment, particularly in agriculture.

Akpata emphasized the need to refocus governance around the needs of the people, aiming to reduce poverty and promote fairness and prosperity. Izedonmwen pledged to tackle poverty through agricultural innovation, industrialization, and infrastructure development, ensuring that no one in Edo State goes without basic necessities.