Come Saturday, September 21, Edo State will be a battlefield. The governorship election in the state has all the ingredients of a war. The incumbent People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whose governor is serving out his maximum two terms in office, is leaving nothing to chance as he tries to birth a successor.

However, the federal ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which lost the state due to political misunderstandings between the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his predecessor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, is doing all in its power to reclaim the Edo State Government House.

Adding to the mix is the Labour Party (LP), which came into national prominence during last year’s presidential election, when the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, propelled a movement of young people and new voters called the “Obidients” into political action.

While the three parties prepare for a fierce contest for the people’s votes, a former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has joined the fray. Apart from Wike’s displeasure with the outgoing Edo State governor, Obaseki, he has unfinished business within the PDP, where he disagreed with the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Wike led four other state governors—Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Dr. Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo)—to form the G5 and oppose Atiku’s presidential ambition.

As the Edo State gubernatorial election heats up, Wike’s name and potential influence have become key factors for the major contenders, especially Asue Ighodalo of the PDP and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC. Additionally, the fact that Wike’s cousin is the current State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State strengthens the belief that the former Rivers State governor will play a decisive role in Saturday’s election.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the FCT Minister disclosed how Governor Obaseki brought the Edo State PDP candidate, Ighodalo, to his residence seeking endorsement.

While insisting that he would not support any side in the election, Wike expressed regret that the Edo State governor launched a campaign of calumny against his cousin, who is the REC, questioning whether Obaseki was unaware of the relationship when he sought Wike’s support for Ighodalo.

What makes Wike’s influence notable in the coming election is that, aside from his cousin being the REC, the FCT minister claims that he is still in the PDP, even while holding a position in the APC cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he supported against Atiku last year.

The Edo State PDP has been protesting against the REC due to his relationship with Wike, expressing concerns that the minister might repeat the actions he took against the PDP presidential candidate in this election.

The PDP’s call for the removal of the Edo INEC REC was made during a press conference following a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting by Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, who said the need for these changes to ensure a transparent election.

The PDP condemned Dr. Onuoha’s appointment, labelling him “overtly partisan” and susceptible to bias and manipulation by the APC. The party argues that his presence undermines the possibility of a credible election in Edo State.

While the PDP is concerned about Wike’s potential anti-party activities, former Edo State governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been taking the APC candidate around the state on campaigns.

As the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Oshiomhole is the APC leader in the state, and both the PDP and Obaseki are wary of his attempt to reassert himself as the political godfather of the state.

Oshiomhole, Wike, and Obaseki have become the three godfathers whose power struggles are escalating tensions in the election. Last week, Governor Obaseki declared that the upcoming election is a “do-or-die” affair for the state.

As the leader of the party in the state, the governor opposed signing the Peace Accord, arguing that it was improper for the PDP to do so while the police continued to arrest party leaders, with no less than 14 chieftains arrested and taken to Abuja two weeks before the election.

Governor Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, reiterated the PDP’s stance, saying they would sign the peace accord only after the arrested members are either released or charged in court. He assured that the state government is committed to ensuring the safety of all stakeholders during the election.

Commenting on the peace accord, Edo State chairman of the party, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, said the police have shown bias, adding, “In the course of preparations for this election, strange and disturbing new elements have been introduced, particularly by a party that appears to have concluded it cannot prevail in a free, fair, and peaceful election.”

He added that entering a peace accord with a biassed umpire, who is acting in the interest of the APC and waging war against the PDP, would be unnecessary.

The PDP has stated it would consider signing the Peace Accord on the condition that the police ensure “the immediate and unconditional release of all persons currently in unlawful custody, or that all these persons, if accused of any crime, be immediately brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in compliance with all civilised constitutional processes.”

Damagum also criticised the IGP’s attempt to disband the Edo State Security Corps, which was established by the Edo State House of Assembly, claiming that it has heightened tensions and could provoke severe reactions from Edo residents.

On the PDP’s refusal to sign the peace accord in Benin, Damagum said, “We are going to participate in the election. We will come out in mass, and we will defend our votes with our blood.”

Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), stressed the importance of the accord, stating it signifies a commitment to put the people’s interests above individual or party ambitions. He urged candidates to run campaigns free of hate speech, violence, and incitement and to accept the election results, provided they are deemed free, fair, and credible.

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun promised that the police would remain impartial, professional, and vigilant in ensuring a level playing field for all political parties. He urged stakeholders to embrace peace and tolerance, ensuring a conducive environment for a credible and peaceful election where voters can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.

National Peace Committee Convener Bishop Matthew Kukah has also urged the people of Edo to come out and vote. He advised candidates to seek legal redress if dissatisfied with the election’s outcome, noting that the peace committee has mechanisms to resolve election-related disputes.

The PDP has called on INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to take action to ensure a fair election and prevent a repeat of the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election fiasco, where an electoral official faced hostile reactions after a controversial result declaration.

The party has also requested the Inspector General of Police to redeploy Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, to enhance confidence, peace, and security during the election.

The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, has been campaigning across the state with the belief that while APC and PDP engage in their godfather politics and disagreements, Edo voters will hand him victory.

Akpata and the LP brought Peter Obi to the state on two occasions within a week to help them win votes. Edo State is considered the capital of the Obidients, but prospective voters express concerns that Akpata’s candidacy may be affected by the fact that he hails from the same senatorial district as the outgoing governor.