The recently concluded primary elections held by major political parties in Edo State to select their candidates for the upcoming governorship election have been marred by chaos, drama, and confusion. From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP), tensions escalated due to perceived bias in favor of certain candidates by party executives.
Discontentment among party executives, aspirants, and members became rampant as events leading up to the primaries unfolded. Aspirants engaged in bitter disputes while mistrust towards party executives grew, raising concerns about the fairness and credibility of the elections.
Within the ruling PDP, tensions rose between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, over the choice of the party’s candidate. Despite their previously close relationship, disagreements emerged, leading to Shaibu’s expulsion from the Government House and strained relations between the two. Shaibu’s supporters held a parallel election and declared him the party’s candidate, further exacerbating the rift within the party.
Meanwhile, the APC primary descended into chaos, with suspected political thugs disrupting proceedings and attacking journalists covering the event. Conflicting announcements regarding the winner further fueled tensions, with the eventual nominee facing protests and challenges to the result.
The LP primaries were marked by multiple factions claiming the party’s governorship ticket, leading to confusion and controversy. Disputes arose over the legitimacy of the election results, with candidates accusing party leadership of bias and manipulation.
Amidst the turmoil, aspirants and party members voiced their grievances and concerns, highlighting the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral process. Calls for the reversal of controversial decisions and demands for democratic principles to prevail underscored the challenges facing political parties in Edo State.
As the gubernatorial election approaches, the aftermath of the primaries has left a trail of discontent and uncertainty, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the prospects for peaceful and credible elections in the state