Edo diasporans speak on the governorship election

On 19^th September 2020, the people of Edo State will go to the polls to select who will govern the affairs of the state for the next four years. There is so much apprehension over the future of the state and the ensuing anxiety is as intense among Edo diasporans as it is with those at home.

The forthcoming election in Edo state has been laden with a prelude of acrimonious squabbles within and between the two major political parties – APC and PDP. Both political camps have employed an assortment of manoeuvresand campaign strategiesto win as they jostle for the hearts and mind of the voting public. The traditional model of persuasion using logos and pathos to appeal to logic and emotion seem to be less favourable relative to barefaced defamation, intimidation and sometimes outright violence.

Nigerian politicians are notorious for flagrant crossing of party lines to seek nomination or other personal gains. Edo power tussle took an interesting turn when Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who contested unsuccessfully in 2016 as a PDP candidate decamped to the ruling APC in November 2019. He immediately registered his desire to challenge for the party’s gubernatorial ticket against the incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki – seen by many as a technocrat.

The political temperature further heated up when Governor Godwin Obaseki decamped to the opposition partyPDP. With the two major contenders swapping political camps, election campaigns began to look more like a reverse playback of the 2016 governorship campaignas spokespersons from both sidestry to unsay what they said against their 2016 opponents now turned allies.

Edo indigenes in diaspora have proven to be a significant force in the social, economic and indeed political fabric of the state. Empowered by the internet and social media, people in diaspora now have more capacity to exert influence on the voting public back home. They are also an important source of funding for political campaigns as well as undaunted advocacy against bad governance.

As the Edo leadership race enters its final sprint, a cross section of Edo indigenes in the United Kingdom share their thoughts on the politics and election of the state.

With the evolution of social media making information diffusion more effective, a lot more diasporans have picked up interest in political and social issues of their home country. In the UK, there is a wide variety of organised partisan and non-partisan groups of Edo people eager to engage in the political discourse of the state. Virtual debates are being organised for supporters of the two major candidates, petitions are being made to the Federal Government calling for a free and fair election, and the dynamics of Edo politics now dominate many informal conversations among Nigerians in the UK. 

Victor Obasogie, a London based solicitor and advocate said: “This is the first time since I was born that I have shown interest in Nigerian politics.  I have always considered politics in Nigeria as a complete sham – a mere charade to appease the electorate. The candidates are not elected but selected.”

On why he has decided to show interest in Nigerian politics, Victor said: “I got involved to support Godwin Obaseki. I asked my family and friends back home to vote him and I believe he will win.” 

Victor, who visits Nigeria yearly, claimed that he was a victim of extortion twice within a week when he visited Benin in 2016 before Godwin Obaseki became Governor. He narrated how touts entered his car while stuck in traffic and claimed he was driving too close to the car in front, which was considered dangerous. They extorted 4,000 naira from him before he was let go. The previous week he was forced to pay 17,000 naira for allegedly parking in a restricted area, although there was no sign to indicate any form of parking restriction.

“Obaseki stopped all these violence and intimidation. He is not just one of the herd,” Victor added.

On the other hand, supporters of APC’s Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the UK claim that he is a true politician who is relatable with a sound understanding of the political terrain. “Pastor Ize-Iyamu has the skills and experience; he knows the problems and how to solve them, he is not authoritarian, and he is willing to serve and respect everybody,” said Dr Charles Omorodion.

“Unlike the other candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu got a plan in the ‘Simple Agenda,’ which has been meticulously developed. If elected, he can be held accountable based on the ‘Simple Agenda.’Dr Charles added.

Also, there is an overwhelming concern among Edo diasporans in the UK about election violence. “I am concerned that some politicians will attempt to use thuggery and violence to influence this election,” says Victor, while Dr Charles is more concerned about violence in parts of the state; “I fear violence in this election, particularly in Edo North.”

By and large, the 2020 election in Edo State is crucial to the power balance in Nigeria and the state has become a battleground for the two major political parties. Edo is the only state in the SouthSouth geopolitical zone not under the control of PDP. Thus, a win for PDP will see them consolidate their dominance in the regionand reduce the national tally of APC states from 21 to 20. APC, on the other hand, is keen to win the state to sustain their political incursion in the region.

Furthermore, there is a lot at stake for the key individual players of this election. Many people believe that the political relevance of the former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is campaigning for Pastor Ize-Iyamu,is hinged on how Edo people vote come 19^th September 2020.A win for Governor Obaseki will cement his legacy as a ‘movement’ in line with how he is being branded; he will be seen as the technocrat who became bigger than the party that disqualified him. Additionally, Obaseki’s success at the polls will significantlybatter the legitimacy of Oshiomhole as an indomitable party leader, and seal the fate of Pastor Ize-Iyamu as an unelectable politician having enjoyed the candidature from the two major parties without success.

Conversely, should Pastor Ize-Iyamu win, Oshiomhole would have pulled one of the most successful punt in Nigerian political history – building a leader he once tore down, and tearing down a leader he once built. But first and most importantly,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and indeed all parties involved must collectively deliver a credible electoral process. 

Finally, Nigerians in diaspora would like to see a time when political affiliations in Nigeria are grounded on shared ideological persuasions. Then, it will be easier to have clearly defined issues-based debates, the electorate will know where they stand with each politician, and perhaps the scarce commodity called ‘credibility’ will begin toemerge.

Goodluck to Edo State – the Heartbeat of Nigeria!

Toju Ogbe is a UK based Communications professional and a doctoral candidate at King’s College London.