By Chukwumah Umeorah
Barring any last minute change in plans, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Edo State in the September 21 election may soonunveil a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legacy Group, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, as running mate.
The Legacy Group of PDP, considered to be the mainstream members before Governor Godwin Obaseki joined the party, have resisted the governorship candidate of the party, Asuen Ighodalo, who they claimed was imposed.
The choice of Ogbeide-Ihama has sent cold shivers into the camp of the PDP family and has spiked fears of the party collapsing into APC structure.
This latest arrangement is said to be part of the calculations by a minister from the South-South zone, who is reportedly supporting Okpebholo to win the election.
The party has been embroiled in a series of crises since the February primary election, which produced Senator Okpebholo with Dennis Idahosa, who came second, insisting that he won the primary election. He has approached the court to seek redress even when the party hierarchy has settled for Okpebholo.
According to a party leader in Edo South Senatorial District, Jimmy Adesotu, the choice of Ogbeide-Ihama was strategic in the sense that it would give the Legacy Group a sense of belonging in APC. “Ogbeide-Ihama is a household name in Edo South and in the entire state. His choice will put APC in good stead,” he said.
As part of the reconciliation process, it was gathered that the party has also promised to cede the Senate ticket of Edo South to Dennis Idahosa in 2027.
According to inside sources, Idahosa, member of the Federal House of Representatives, was not considered for the deputy governorship slot because of the experiences with Philip Shuaibu, the embattled deputy governor in Edo State, who was withdrawn from the National Assembly to run with Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016.
Also considered before the slot fell on Ogbeide-Ihama, was the former chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Osaro Obaze.
The choice of Ogbeide-Ihama has been considered a deft move as the mainstream PDP members are reportedly set to dump the party for the APC.