Countdown to edo/ondo governorship elections: part two

On Tuesday, September 1st, 2020, marked a turning point in the countdown to the Edo State governorship elections as former national chairman of the All Progressive Congress Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomole escaped death by the whiskers. An articulated truck travelling in the opposite direction, rammed into his convoy killing two policemen instantly. Those injured were rushed to the hospital where they are said to be receiving treatment. This is not the first time the former national chairman and labor leader will be experiencing this type of disaster. During his days in the government house he had lost two aides and a private secretary. He equally lost is wife in controversial circumstance. However, political observers across the nation appears to believe that it is demeaning for  a former national leader of his caliber to condescend so low to lead a State campaign while his colleagues stand by and watch. “This is a personal war for Oshiomole”, said one Alhaji Abubakar. “He forgot that he was two time governor who should be resting in his cozy office somewhere in the world”, he stated. “Now, he is gallivanting everywhere as though he is a small boy despite all he has acquired”, he lamented. Alhaji Abubakar expressed strong disappointment for Oshiomole to descend so low just because he has insatiable appetite for material things.”  At 68, he shouldn’t be doing this”, stressed Alhaji, who believe that Oshiomole is fighting for himself and not for the masses. Meanwhile, mixed reactions have continued to trail the open support of Capt. Hosa Okunbor for Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, the APC flag bearer. “Unlike other prominent men in his position, they will simply support both candidates; that’s how it is done. What Capt Hosa has done now is like throwing away the child with the bath water”, disclosed Humble Osaze. “In politics, that’s suicidal and more so that he is a businessman”. Nevertheless, APC appeared to be weighed down by both internal and external wrangling. Internally, the trio of Charles Aihrevhere, Chris Ogiewhomyi and Pius Odubu are said not to be happy that they were schemed out by Adams Oshiomole in the race for the party ticket; externally, the APC governors are not happy that Oshiomole has hijacked the campaign machinery for himself and is making huge profit out of it. These are dangerous signals that rightly should not be ignored. But the incumbent governor Obaseki is presently coasting on garnering support from ward to ward. September 19 is round the corner and very soon the Benin’s will have a chance either o unite behind Obaseki or vote for a return to thuggery.