As battle for Edo North senatorial seat rages

GOING by the harsh rhetoric of the cast of characters, the stage, no doubt is gradually being prepared for what promises to be a fight between incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his resolute opponent, Engineer Abubakar Momoh of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the Edo North Senatorial District seat in the forthcoming election.

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The APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole hails from the district which comprises Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West, Owan East and Akoko Edo local government areas.

There has been no let down between the two men in the muddy war of words as regards who command the people’s trust. While Momoh is from Imiegba, Alimikhena hails from Igiode, both in Etsako East local government area of the state. Oshiomhole is from Iyamho, Etsako West local government area.

Momoh tenaciously contended that Alimikhena, a non-performer should take a dignified exit. It was high time the torch was passed to the young generation. If he wins, Alimikhena will at 76 thereby setting a record as one of the oldest lawmakers when he completes his tenure in 2023.

Alimikhena, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and a retired major in the engineering corp returned fire when he let out a salvo in anger, insisting that it was Momoh and not him that ought o retire from politics.

He promptly rolled out reasons: the people of Etsako are tired of politicians who have never voted for others but always seeking the vote of the people.

Alimikhena who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Benjamin Atu took shots at the PDP candidate, a two-time member of the House of Representatives: “since the inception of democracy in 1999 till date, Momoh has constantly sought elective position without him voting for others.”

Momoh has been a councilor, local government chairman, member of the State House of Assembly (Etsako East) and a former member representing Etsako Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

He queried: “How can a man be so selfish and self seeking? Afemai people have constantly voted for Momoh in different political platforms without any project to his credit.”

The Deputy Chief Whip predicted that the end has come for the engineer’s political career, adding: “We made Momoh whatever he is today and we are ready to unmake him and retire him from active politics. We cannot continue to give political consideration to people who cannot make gains with the trust of the people.”

Alimikhena said that he ascended his lofty height on the ladder of trust reposed in him through the services which connected him to the people without being involved in political activities, emphasizing that it was this trust that made his ascent by the masses of Edo North a reality.

He continued: “Alimikhena has inspired more trust of the Edo North masses by his action.  Trust is earned, it is never given. Previous senators have failed to earn the trust of the people because they do not connect with the people emotionally through their performance.”

The PDP Edo North senatorial candidate challenged his APC opponent, Alimekhena, to a debate in order to showcase their accomplishments to the people

The opposition party candidate made nonsense of Alimekhena’s campaign mantra of Oracle of Development, noting that for his lacklustre performance, he should be branded as the ‘oracle of underdevelopment.’

The main challenger promised to restore Edo North to its rightful place if elected, stressing that the geo-political zone is hugely endowed materially but has ironically suffered so much under a rudderless representation.

The PDP candidate said that he has so far refrained from descending low as a result of his strong belief in the people whose mandate he is currently seeking, stressing that the major reason he chose to maintain a dignified posture and not resort to ungentlemanly tantrums like Alimikhena was because he saw himself as an Edo north patriot who desires to restore the zone’s “lost glory and vibrant voice.”

He made it known that he would not shift grounds in his consistent call for an organised public debate which would pitch both leading contenders for the plum senatorial seat. Momoh emphasised that the debate was necessary as it would give both candidates the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments to the people during their time in office.

From building solar lights to providing boreholes, establishing skills acquisition centres, electrification of rural communities to building new classroom blocks and health centres, the former House of Assembly member said that his footprints had become ubiquitous in Etsako and would replicate his achievements throughout Edo North if given the chance. As an Etsako man, he promised to be fair to Akoko Edo and Owan people.

Buoyed however by what he reiterated as his sterling performance, the old soldier returned fire, expressing confidence in facing his opponent at the poll as his five-star performance and achievements had laid legislative developmental benchmark in Edo State.

Atu said: “Sufficient efforts have been made to reinvigorate the Edo North economy. A dialysis centre has been established, electricity, educational structures, boreholes, various skills acquisition centres built and equipped. Massive employment and appointments have been given to Edo North youths and leaders. Scholarships have been given. Several roads have been completed. Akoko Edo township roads, the dualisation of the Agenebode road and many roads are currently in the budget to ensure that all access roads in Edo North are interconnected.”

He said that a decision has been concluded to ensure the speedy upgrading of Auchi Polytechnic into a federal university of technology, adding that such developmental efforts would have multiplier effects in Edo North developmental agenda.

With a dismissive wave of the hand, Chief Dan Orbih, the state chairman of the PDP,  an indigene of Edo North from neighbouring Ogbona, Etsako Central Local Government Area insisted that both Alimikhena and the whole of APC from federal to state and local government areas have failed and should be rejected by the people at the polls.

According to him, “This election is not about PDP or APC; it is about Nigerians calling for a change so that they can have the good things of life. I have been in several areas in the state. There is nothing to show that we have had a government that provides basic needs for the people in the last nine to ten years that the APC have been in government in Edo State.

“There is poverty in our land, there is insecurity. Our people can no longer go to their farms because of the killing by Fulani herdsmen. We must put an end to these unwanton killings. A vote for APC will further worsen the poverty level in the state and Nigeria.”

Hope of victory for the Senate deputy chief whip may however be dimmed if the stinging allegations of nepotism and aloofness by an APC pressure group, Final Yes are anything to go by.

The coordinator, Mr. Adoga Ibrahim pointedly accused the senator of distancing himself from the people, stressing that they would rather prefer someone who is down-to-earth and has a good relationship with his constituents rather than casting their votes for him again.

Adoga charged: “At home, Alimikhena restricted himself, 95 per cent to his native Etsako believing and acting as if the Akoko-Edo and Owan nations do not matter.  90pre cent of his constituency projects are in Etsako.

“He has a reputation for not picking his calls and always querying callers on how they got his phone number. He had only very peripheral contact or relationship with non-Etsakos in his native Edo North. This accounts for why we seek a senator who has a robust understanding about the peculiar nature of our politics as well as reaching out to our invaluable party members and electorate on a constant and unbiased basis.”

Between the engineer and the old major, time will soon, among other things, tell who owns the land, who is to be revered and who ultimately goes on political retirement. The die is cast.