Comrade Kennedy Iyere, the gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, has emerged as the first among his peers to pick a running mate.
Following the just-concluded primary election of Accord Party in Edo State, Iyere announced renowned businessman and pan-African, Bright Enabulele, as his running mate.
In his acceptance speech, Iyere expressed gratitude to the party leadership, saying he would ever be grateful for their confidence in his ability to bring victory to Accord.
His words, “Thank God for the primary conducted today by Accord, which produced me as the first candidate for the 2024 Edo guber poll. My running mate is Bright Enabulele and together, we shall pull the sufficient votes required for our desired victory.
“We are forming a coalition of not fewer than six political parties who will provide the formidable political platform needed to dislodge the APC and PDP in Edo State and rescue the indigenes and other inhabitants of Edo State from the misery of hunger, deprivation, unemployment and extreme poverty.
“Edo State is politically and economically broken by its failed past and present political leaders. The time to fix Edo State is now or never, hence we have adopted FIX-EDO-2024 PROJECT as our campaign theme.
“APC and PDP have done enough damage to our economy, our people, our state and our nation, the time for our political liberation is now or never.”
Other Edo governorship candidate you should know
Akpata Olumide, (LP)
Former NBA President, Olumide Akpata is another colorful politician who entered the Edo gubernatorial contest under the umbrella of Labour Party. The corporate business lawyer has used his weight to seize control of the LP in Edo state since he announced his intention to challenge for the state’s top seat of power. His recent gift of SUVs to the celebration and large cash support have unsettled other contenders for the LP ticket.
Asue Ighodalo, (PDP)
Asue Ighodalo was declared the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo State in February 2023. However, the situation is complex due to a parallel primary held by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
Currently, a court case determines the official PDP candidate. Despite the uncertainty, Ighodalo remains a prominent figure in the Edo 2024 gubernatorial race, aiming to succeed the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Dennis Idahosa, (APC)
Dennis Idahosa emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 21 September Edo State governorship election.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, the Chairman of the APC Edo State governorship primary election committee, said this at the end of the election in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Uzodimma said that Idahosa, currently a member of the House of Representatives, defeated eight others aspirants in the race.
Meanwhile, the crisis stemming from the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State appears far from resolved, with aspirant Idahosa challenging any alternative candidate nomination aside from himself. He asserts victory in the primary election and urges the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, to recognize him as the legitimate candidate.
The turmoil commenced when the initial primary on February 17 yielded three declared winners. Uzodimma, as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, announced Idahosa as the victor, while Stanley Ugboaja, the returning officer, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner. Ojo Babatunde, purporting to represent returning officers across all local governments, declared Anamero Dekeri as the victor, adding to the confusion.
To address the dispute, the National Working Committee ordered a rerun on February 22 under the leadership of Governor Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers State. After the rerun, Okpebholo emerged as the winner with 12,433 votes, defeating Idahosa who garnered 6,541 votes.
In a letter dated March 4, 2024, penned by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Yakubu, Idahosa highlights a legal action, Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/274/2024, against Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the APC, and the INEC, asserting his candidacy.
Idahosa claims victory in the February 17 exercise monitored by the INEC and disputes the necessity of the supplementary election, arguing that February 22 was a continuation rather than a standalone event, hence the results of the 17th exercise should prevail.
