Edo North produced the immediate past governor, Adams Oshiomhole, whose second term in office came to an end in 2016. Although his successor, Governor Obaseki hails from Edo South; the Deputy Governor Shaibu is from the same Edo North as Oshiomhole.
This has led to calls by prominent indigenes of the State for power shift to Edo Central who though produced Oserheimen Osunbor as Lucky Igbinedion’s successor; he was removed by the court after barely 11 months in office.
Addressing journalists in Abuja a few weeks ago after officially declaring interest to succeed his boss, Shaibu noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform he is seeking a ticket to participate in the election, has not been fair to Edo North, urging the party to pick the zone ahead of others.
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent in Abuja, suspended National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Anslem Eragbe noted that for the sake of fairness and equity, the major political parties should pick their flag bearers from Edo Central.
In his words, Edo South has so far enjoyed the plum seat for 16 years while Edo North was in the saddle for eight unbroken years, leaving the Central zone trailing far behind.
He said, “I am a proponent of zoning and rotation. I am a proponent of directional power zoning. There are three power districts in Edo. Edo North, South and Central. It is either we go for a single term of four years or agree on what is best for every side.
“Igbinedion was there from 1999 to 2007. After that, Osunbor from Edo South took over and was there for about 11 months after which Oshiomhole from Edo North took over and did eight years.
“In 2016, the incumbent Governor, Obaseki took over and is rounding up the eight years in September. Ideally, Edo Central should produce the governor this year but there are other factors why this may not happen.”
According to him, “Edo people have not taken a position on zoning,” even as he added that politics being a game of numbers means the Central may likely means out again.
He warned that if the various competing interests are not harmonized, “There may be a crisis in Edo going forward. In all this, Edo Central should be supported to produce the next Governor.”
Also speaking, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Roland Igbadumhe told our correspondent that though Edo Central has a point in championing zoning of the governorship ticket; the level of support currently being enjoyed by one of the aspirants from Edo South, Dennis Idahosa may threaten the chances of the Central Senatorial District.
He said, “About 29 aspirants indicated interest in the APC Edo Governorship ticket but after series of meetings, the number has been pruned down to six- two each from the three Senatorial Districts.
“The event of the past one week has seen the rise in the political fortune of Idahosa who is a current member of the House representing Ovia North East/South-West Federal Constituency.
“Chieftains of our party including Mr Oshiomhole are behind the lawmaker. This is why I think Edo North may walk a tight rope regardless of the party platform.”
In his contribution, grassroots mobiliser in Edo North and a leader of the APC in Ward 9, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Usman Igbasekhe wants party leaders to work on how to produce the next Governor rather than playing the morality card of zoning to Edo Central.
“This is an opportunity for us to produce another governor. We had Oshiomhole but we can have another one again. All we need is to work hard, strike an understanding with the South District to our numerical advantage,” he said.
However, Mr Igbasekhe added that the support of Governor Obaseki for the Central district may turn out to be the game changer.
“The Governor is not hiding it. He wants the Esan people of Edo South to produce his successor. Given the power of incumbency in this part of the world, it would be foolish to take this support for granted,” he added.