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APRIL 9, 2007 VOL. 20. NO 26

Much Ado About LG Polls

**Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State**

The political atmosphere in Edo State is choked, with disputations over the conduct of local government polls
By Walid Ogunseri, Benin City
Indications have emerged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may boycott the planned April 25, 2007 local government elections as advertised by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
This is sequel to the decision of EDSIEC to conduct the elections inspite of a recent House of Assembly resolution which stopped the state governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion from dissolving the councils. Notably, this has sparked off pockets of problems among the political class especially local government aspirants in the state.
The Edo State House of Assembly had through a resolution it passed on Monday, February 26, 2007, said that local government functionaries in the state will complete their mandatory three-year tenure as guaranteed by law – and this the lawmakers led by Speaker Friday Itulah, who is a die-hard loyalist of Tony Anenih, the PDP Board of Trustees chairman, said is expected to expire on April 27, 2007 having being sworn in of April 27, 2004.
But the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) which is empowered by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in accordance with the Edo State Local Government Law 2000 and the Local Government Electoral Law 2002 early last month published a notice of election in the state-owned newspaper, the Nigeria Observer wherein it categorically stated that elections to the office of chairman and councillors shall be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007.
In the notice of election which was signed by G.O.U Okungbowa, chairman, Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, the approved candidates sponsored by the 50 registered political parties were directed to collect forms from electoral officers at the Commission’s headquarters along Oko-Ogba Road in the State capital, Benin City, from Friday, March 16, 2007 to Tuesday March 22, 2007.
It was gathered that the Commission’s recent steps were taken after Governor Igbinedion had held meetings with the chairman of the Commission, whereupon it was agreed that the chairman would through a stage-managed courtesy visit pretend as if he had come to intimate the governor of his intention to conduct local government elections in the state. He was said to have hinged his reasons on the recent decisions taken at a recent meeting of all chairmen of state independent electoral commissions who agreed to conduct local government elections nation-wide in April this year, adding that he was in the Government House to solicit for logistics support from the state government to enable him conduct hitch-free elections.
Thereafter, Governor Igbinedion promised to support the Commission in its quest to conduct the polls. Instructively, the decision of the joint chairmen of independent electoral commissions led to the dissolution of some local government councils in Plateau, Ekiti and Abia State among others.
Justice Okungbowa, rtd, thereafter visited the state House of Assembly and intimated it of the Commission’s intention to conduct local government council election in the state, based on the decisions reached at a meeting held by all state chairmen of state independent electoral commissions but some of the lawmakers but frowned at the plan to conduct local government elections in the state.
Samson Osagie representing Uhunmwonde constituency said Edo State is different from other States, adding that the situation in the state is not conducive to conduct such elections now.
But Justice Okungbowa was to vow that he would go ahead with the April 27 local government election since according to him, it is backed by law.
Ever since EDSIEC has continued to advertise the time-table for the conduct of the local government election and this has continued to generate mixed reactions and as well as spark off crisis among local government godfathers and aspirants.
In a swift reaction, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State chapter and State Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Comrade Igbotako Nowinta, described the recent development in the House of Assembly as most unfortunate, tragic and evil given the fact that the people of the State had known nothing but bad governance since the last eight years.
Igbotako stated that the April 25, 2007 date fixed by EDSIEC for the local government elections is genuinely in order, contending that the position of the House on the date is clearly selfish, unconstitutional, null and void, and an attempt to prolong the suffering at the grass roots level.
He maintained that the CNPP in Edo State is ready for the April polls adding that the body supporters EDSIEC on the issue and promised to support the Commission within constitutional means to ensure that the date remain, sacrosanct.
According to him, it is the business of the Edo State Government to conduct local government elections and not the Edo State House of Assembly, pointing out that the brazen and desperate position of the PDP – dominated House is not consistent with laid down democratic tenets, adding that the House cannot foist its parochial interest on other political parties in the State.
Supporting the position of the State legislators, however, Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, a member of the House of Representatives and governorship candidate under the platform of the ANPP said that while he may not see it as something to be applauded, because the legislators have done what they did in their own interest and in the interest of the people, the Lawmakers' decision nonetheless, will give the Edo people the true opportunity to produce local government chairmen and councillors that will truly represent their interests.
Arigbe-Osula described the EDSIEC decision as hasty and suspicious, while labeling the role being played by the State government as questionable, adding that he is glad that the two godfathers in the PDP are fighting over the issue. In the same vein, a PDP leader in Uhunmwode local government area, Owere Dickson Imasogie, applauded the decision of the House seeking to stop the April 25, 2007 election as proposed by the Justice Okungbowa Electoral Commission, pointing out that the primary assignment before the party is to face the other elections lined up by INEC, adding that the other parties because they are not on ground may be supporting the conduct of the elections.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen, Edo State Chapter and Chairman of Owan East Local Government Council, Pally Iriase have pledged ALGON’s unflinching support for Justice Okungbowa’s scheduled local government council elections.
Iriase said ALGON in Edo State is ever determined and ready to assist the Commission towards conducting hitch-free council elections as scheduled.
But in another development, Stanley Odidi, chairman Estako West Local Government Council, has disassociated himself and his Council from Iriase’s position on the proposed council election, adding that Iriase was not speaking for ALGON, but for himself.
But undaunted, Okungbowa has assured registered political parties in the state that the Commission is ready to conduct the elections come April 25, 2007.
He gave the assurance at a meeting with chairmen and secretaries of registered political parties in the State.
The EDSIEC boss said for the avoidance of doubt, Section 15(1) of the Local Government Law 2000 empowers the Commission to fix the date for election into the various Local Government Councils in Edo State, while Section 10(3) stipulates that the Commission should conduct elections into the various councils within three months before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent elected council officials.
Continuing, the chairman stated that during an interactive session with the Speaker and members of Edo State House of Assembly, the House directed that the Commission should improve on its level of preparedness for the election and report back within four weeks, hence the Commission had decided to invite the chairmen, secretaries and members of political parties to the interactive session so as to brief them on the level of preparedness of the Commission for the conduct of the election.
Okungbowa, however, assured that the Commission would not breach any section of the Electoral Law 2006 and Local Government Law 2002, as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the conduct of the elections.
He said the extant rules/laws governing the conduct of the local government elections in the state does not make provision for the fixing of the date of the election by any other person but the Commission.
The State Chairman of the Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), Ogie Ogedegbe, used the occasion to call on the people of the State to vote for credible people who will represent their interest in the State House of Assembly, adding that the call for the postponement of the polls through a motion passed by the House was not in the interest of the generality of the people.
He, therefore, called on the chairmen of the Commission to put every machinery in motion to conduct a free and fair election.
Meanwhile, the date for the collection and submission of forms was extended to March 30, 2007, as against the initial deadline of March 22, 2007.
About 15 political parties attended the meeting, including representatives of the PDP, AC, MDJ, NCP and ANPP, amongst others.
In another development, EDSIEC has resolved to refund the amount paid by political aspirants for Nomination Forms for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
A release signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Okungbowa, therefore, directed all aspirants to come with evidence of payment to the Commission for a refund of the amount paid.
Indeed, The Source’s investigations series of revealed that indications are pointing to the ruling People’s Democratic Party gearing up to boycott the elections. It was learnt that the party leadership fear that the governor want, to dissolve the council and constitute caretaker committees in the local government to be headed by his loyalists who are believed to be workings for the emergence of Adams Oshiomhole as the next governor of Edo State under the platform of the Action Congress (AC).
At the various councils, chairmen who want to come back are at loggerheads with party leaders who they believe are also nursing or sponsoring different candidates who are mostly for Anenih’s camps against them.
For instance, in Ikpoba Okha, it was parallel PDP rallies; one was held at Ugbekun Primary School, and the other at Ramat Park. The one held at Ologbesere Primary School, Ugbekun have the backing of Chief Tony Anenih’s men, such as Hon Mathew Uduoyekemwen, Dr. Mike Okhomina, the acclaimed leader of the local government while the one at Ramat Park was anchored by the party chairman, Sunny Ogbewe, who is a strong loyalist of Governor Igbinedion.
Sources said that Ogbewe had earlier pitched his tent with the defunct Grace Group within the PDP, while the Idmoyekemwen camp was made up of Anenih’s die-hard. Even though there were moves to reunite both camps, The Source gathered that recent happenings have shown that there was no genuine reconciliation in the local government, pointing out that the ugly situation in the local government left the Vice- Chairman of the council Osamede Edorodion, who is also a chairmanship aspirant identifying with the two rallies.
In Egor Local Government, the leadership tussle over who becomes the next chairman of the council have resulted into a battle between supporters of the council chairman Crosby Osadolor Eribo and his estranged vice chairman, Jimoh Ogiefa who was said to have lost favour in the sight of his erstwhile political leader M Goddy Edosa.
The embattled vice chairman and his boss had resorted to adopting unconventional means of actualising their objectives, including blackmail, thuggery, violent attacks and other uncivilised means of resolving conflict, to the extent that other aspirants from other political parties such as the AC and ANPP are now campaigning with apprehension writen all over their electioneering projects. Presently most of the political godfathers in all the three senatorial districts are at daggers drawn.
Some of the political godfathers mainly from the Anenih camp, sources said, claimed to have put their political structures on the drawing board, in a bid to predict the outcome of the local government council elections, which they wish to be conducted by the in-coming government.
With the present situation of things, however, it is difficult to predict the outcome due mainly to the ambiguity of Governor Igbenedion’s support.
For instance, in Etsako East Local Government Council, it is a straight fight between Chief Joshua Ogene, and retired Major – General Abu on one side, while Evangelist Kasimu Dokpesi, Chief Godwin Eshieshie, Abubakar Momoh and Alhaji Danusa on the other side.
In Etsako central, the battle line is between Deputy Governor, Mike Oghiadomhe and a member of the NNPC Board, Dan Osi Orbih, who prefer his friend, Pascal Ugbome to be returned as the next chairman of the council. But the Deputy Governor’s influence, coupled with the party’s national decision may substantially determine who occupies the council chairmanship seat.
In Etsako West, the threat posed by the Action Congress strongman, Usman Shagadi, is said to be contending forces with the already divided two notable leaders of the PDP in the area, Chief Bruno Oshokpekhai who is said to be working for one of his sons, Tenebe, disposed to the candidacy of the incumbent Gani Audu.
In the same vein, Alhaji Usman Shagadi is alleged to be supporting Audu’s re-election bid.
In Oredo, tension and palpable fear fill the air as strong contenders such as US-based Gbajumo, the former council chairman, Mike Ehima, Omede, Odeh, Ero and Ushiomon and many others from the PDP are in for a stiff battle with AC’s strong contenders, Michael Egharevba and Osaro Obazee.
In Owan West, it is already a personality clash between two political warlords in the area, Alhaji Inu Umoru, who is disposed to Pally Iriase’s candidature and Kassim Ozeto. In Owan East, the fight between Professor Julius Ihonvbere and Johnson Agbolagba have been transferred to the arena of council elections.
In Akoko-Edo, the battle has started with former commissioner for Justice, Samson Ekhabafe backing the return of Chief Anenih’s in-law, Chief Johnson Emasealu and the AC strongman, Dr. Tunde Lakoju, who commands a lot of respect and attention in the area due to his sterling performance in the National Assembly.
In Ovia North East/Ovia South West, the likes of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Sunny Uyigue, and Governor Igbinedion are already fighting hard to determine who they want at the council. But the AC’s foremost aspirant and former Deputy Chief of staff, Priestly Idiagbonya is already making waves in Ovia North East locality.
In Uhunmwode local government, Joe Atohengbe, the commissioner for Agriculture has started his campaigns, promising to stop the waste in the area while the incumbent council chairman is also fighting hard to return to his seat. The outcome of the elections – whether it is held on April 25, or at a later date – shall depend largely on the who gets the upper hand between Governor Igbinedion and Dr Samuel Ogbemudia in the current battle for the ‘soul’ of the PDP in the state.