2015: Edo Poll As Benchmark

In the nation’s primitive political space, civilisation suddenly became a work in quantifiable progress some 48 hour ago when the governorship election successfully held in Edo State. In a poll defined by gripping political drama, justifiable fears of violence spawned by the customary Machiavellian intrigues of the key opposition in the State - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - a winner and losers emerged.

Incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was declared winner by the Independent National Election Commission’s (INEC) returning officer Prof. Osayuki Oshodi, at exactly 7.40 am yesterday. With votes counted from 18 Local Government Areas in Edo State, Oshiomhole garnered 477, 478 votes. His main rival, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd.) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 144,235 votes.

Oshiohmole’s landslide victory has several novel dimensions. Perhaps a most significant feature of ACN’s July 14 triumph is seen as a final proof of the political eclipse of Chief Anthony Anenih, a once foremost kingmaker in that political realm and former chairman of the PDP’s board of trustees.  By soundly defeating  Airhiavbere, a formidable candidate hand-picked by Anenih, even in the duo’s wards signals the long reign of “Mr. Fix it” has ended.

The second is that even President Goodluck Jonathan’s influence, after having campaigned personally for his party’s flag-bearer in Benin City counted for little. The massive deployment of thousands of soldiers to major towns in Edo State on the president’s order hardly deflated the electorate’s passion as they trooped out and exercised their rights.

The third is that his victory sharply contradicts notions that electoral triumphs are unconnected to performance, a flawed construct that has held sway in many a political arena – from state to national levels – for too long. It demonstrates that elected public officials who perform excellently like Governor Oshiomhole did, should habour no fears about been reelected. What transpired in Edo State on Saturday also sends the strongest signals to Nigerians that they can indeed come and vote and ensure that their votes are not trifled or tampered with.

This represents the substance of what retired General Buhari of the Congress for Political Change (CPC) has consistently preached – and often mischievously misread. The responsibility of voters goes beyond voting and returning home. They must ensure that their choices are not altered illegally. 

Another important point worth noting is that the electoral umpire rose to the occasion. Clearly not a perfect outing, but INEC must be saluted for their role in ensuring that a legitimate process played out and produced an outcome accepted by the people. The security agencies, notwithstanding the initial reservations about their brief, must also be commended for their role.

On July 14, one-man-one-vote played out and produced a populist result. This model clearly recommends itself as a benchmark for the 2015 general elections.