Olumide Akpata: Racing Against Zoning

The slogans, “Who’s your man? Olumide Akpata,” is ruling the airwaves like the hope 93 commercial of Basorun MKO Abiola of SDP fame. “MKO is our man ooooooo!”

But the Edo political landscape seems to be yearning for a change-zoning.

This has forced the two major political parties in the state – the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress – to zone the governorship to the Edo central, which has been left out of power equation since 1999.

Though the Labour Party was like a hurricane during the 2023 general elections, sweeping some states hitherto known as the strong base of the APC and PDP, the same cannot be said of today’s reality because of President Bola Tinubu’s political sagacity.

Akpata’s greatest strength lies in the youth and Labour Party machinery. These may have been altered by the zoning arrangements that do not favour him.

Also, he’s contesting against the candidate of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Asue Ighodalo.Both Edo South and North senatorial districts have had their turn. Former NLC president,Comrade Adams Oshiohmole from Edo North, served two terms of eight years. Obaseki from the South is rounding off his eight years.

Incidentally, Akpata is from the south.

Obaseki has also warmed his way into the hearts of the organised Labour by building a befitting edifice for them. Besides, he’s said to have also done a few projects that will come in handy during the electioneering campaign.

The APC also has an old war horse and former governor, Adams Oshiohmole, leading the charge with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu operating from Edo South, Akpata’s chances of winning substantial votes on the platform of the LP from his own Edo south base may have been whittled down substantially.

So, as Akpata’s LP Square up with PDP’s Ighodalo and APC’s Monday Okpebohlo in the September governorship election, it remains to be seen if the Labour Party movement that saw many upsets in the 2023 general election is still intact.