5 GENUINE reasons why Godwin Obaseki won the Edo election

Mr Godwin Obaski of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the governor-elect of Edo state after a keenly contested election. 

These are happy times for Mr Obaseki and his household

Obaseki, a known face in the administration of out-going governor, Adams Oshiomole was until his victory, the chairman of the state’s Economic and Strategy Team.

He defeated his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by polling 319, 483 against the latter’s 253,173 votes.

While Obaski’s victory has sparked protest from PDP supporters in the state capital, Benin, it has also signaled the beginning of the victory dance for APC supporters across the state.

READ ALSO: 5 MAJOR challenges encountered in the Edo governorship election (photos)

NAIJ.com lists 6 major reasons why Obaseki won the election.

1. His knowledge of the economy: Obaseki attended the Columbia University and Pace University in New York and has an MBA in finance and international business. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Program. His long service as the head of Edo state Economic and Strategy Team gave him an opportunity to showcase his innate skills and talent as a sound economic manager. This gave him an edge in the election over Pastor Ize-Iyamu who is generally seen as a career politician.

2. His deep Benin roots: He is a member of the famous and illustrious Obaseki family. His deep Benin roots no doubt gave him an edge in the election. Although he contested with an equally illustrious son of the soil – Ize-Iyamu, his close to government must have been a deciding factor in giving him the needed victory to steer the Edo state hip for the next four years.

3. Incumbency factor: In Nigeria, it is a known fact that the government of the day has an unrivaled advantage before and during the electioneering period. All the paraphernalia of the state machinery is brought to bear and used to intimidate the opposition. Unfortunately, electoral and security agencies who are supposed to be apolitical most times dance to the tune of the government in power in exchange for financial and material inducements. It should be noted that the Edo state chapter of the PDP severally raised an alarm over the intimidation they were subjected to before and during the election.

4. The Oshiomole factor: Comrade Adams Oshiomole’s background as a labour leader cannot be wished away by his political foes. A gifted orator, mass mobilizer of men and an emerging political force in the South-south region, Oshiomole was practically at the forefront of the political battle to install Obasseki as his successor. From campaign grounds to public forums, Oshiomole made his voice heard as he consistently urged the citizens of Edo state to cast their votes for his lackey.

5. The presidency factor: Although President Muhammadu Buhari have been somewhat apolitical since he came on board, the Edo election showed that the president is still have a keen interest in what transpires. President Buhari was personally present at the grand finale of Obaseki’s campaign trail, urging the people of the state to cast their votes for the APC candidate. The president’s presence was testament to the fact that he is not just a passive observer of the polls, but a key stakeholder in the election. This might have swayed some votes to the APC and also help in rallying the northern votes in the state.

6. Massive publicity: The election was a show of force in terms of public relations and publicity. Both parties committed funds in their desperation to win the voters on their side, but Obaseki’s campaign team did a near-perfect job. His team particularly focused on social media campaigns, reaching youths who are most times indifferent to the outcome of elections. There were also consistent campaigns on relatively new social mediums like Instagram, Snap Chat and the likes.

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