Edo governorship election: When the third force becomes a leading contender By EJIROGHENE BARRETT

Amidst the fierce tussle for dominance between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the lead up to the Edo state governorship elections, Olu Akpata, considered a third force in the race, seems to have cleverly built a political brand with an obviously well drawn-out campaign strategy.

Akpata’s campaign is infused with an energy that is obviously in contrast with the usually tired disposition of his mainstream foes. In the state, he has gradually gained a reputation as the face of a distinct group of young, forward thinking and discerning leadership, albeit considered politically inexperienced, emerging on the scene and this has become the great subtext of the campaign so far.

Is it possible that someone who the mainstream political pack tries to sell off as a greenhorn may be on the verge of pulling another upset as he did winning the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Presidency? Some say it is likely.

With extensive experience in the energy sector, including an instrumental role in the Azura power project, he clearly flaunts his acquired skills in the establishment of major infrastructure projects, an accomplishment constantly amplified by his supporters.

Some say he offers an exhilarating alternative to the other main contenders, one of whose incoherent syntax has kept him from public debates with the other contenders. The other candidate’s admired intellect seems to have been weighed down by an imposed obligation to echo policies and programmes of his mentor whose eight year stint is still considered by many to have limited successes.

Apart from an expeditious campaign that is making a second stop at every local government area in the state as the election draws closer, Akpata has made an impression on his audience with a slogan that is catchy and appears to resonate with many. First, he nails it with his “our guy” campaign jingle- elevated by an infectious dance beat- then seals it with the affirmative “Edo People Must to Matter”, or the equally unambiguous “Edo People before politics.”

Somehow, Akpata manages to touch his audience with his refreshing blend of local aphorisms and an obvious gift of the gab. In all of his meetings he elicits laughter and applauds as he captures the relevant issues and provides solutions that appear elementary but workable, employing his humorous “Warri Boy” cadence. But he always ends with an earnest admission that his goal is simply to see that more people are pulled out of poverty and that the majority of people are empowered in Edo State, regardless of ethnic or partisan preferences. The crowd understands the message and responds with applause.

It is in this context that his artful switch between Pidgin and English during conversations is celebrated as a refreshing shift from the usually drab political pantomime that seems prevalent today. When asked what they like about him, people usually say his down-to-earth manner of speaking on issues engenders empathy they can relate to.

Akpata’s campaign clearly exposes a power tussle between established and emerging forces. While the old approach would see candidates use stale hyperboles to promote parochial goals, Akpata comes with humorous ad libs as he candidly outlines ways to achieve clear objectives.

For his supporters, so far, he is the only one who has shown tangible proof of what would pass as a campaign to sell his policies and programmes in a political space soiled by bitter violence and vile ad hominem attacks between the mainstream parties.

One of Akpata’s most often repeated pledges is putting people at the centre of governance, as obviously expressed by his “Edo People Must to Matter” slogan. He says this can only be achieved through programmes and policies that have the greatest interest of the people through their executions.

In all his visits he explains his intended programmes in unambiguous language. He speaks about building hospitals, condemning the decision of the state government to bring down a public hospital in order to build a museum in its place and not offering any foreseeable alternative for the affordable medical services that the demolished hospital provided.

On agriculture, Akpata lucidly breaks down his scheme that includes supplementing farm implements at highly subsidised prices, creating farm settlements and establishing “programmes that will enhance the development of the sector through several interventions,” in his words.

His plans sound plausible and practical. However, the concern is that his elucidation, some say with apprehension, could be masking the usual intentions of the typical politician whose self-indulgent rhetoric usually trumps the substance of the issue in question.
Some have also voiced their concerns that Akpata’s unenviable position as the only individual whose candidacy breaches the collective call for power rotation may work against him, suggesting that he would face an uphill task convincing the state to retain leadership in the hands of Edo South.

He responds by stressing that leadership should be more about competence than concerns of ethnicity, even as he acknowledges that respect for the political relevance of all groups within the state is imperative. He explains that such a decision is based on the internal demands of each political party. For the Labour party, he says, the rationale for electing the party candidate was purely leadership competence and he won the ticket on that consideration.

Olu walks a tightrope as he navigates a political turf that seems determined to play down his relevance. Allegations that he is being backed by the current State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has seen him emphatically affirm that he is not under the influence of any established political interests.

How true this is will be seen at the polls. Even more important is that the last days of campaigning leading up to the elections will present Akpata and the other candidates with a crucial opportunity to present a convincing pitch.

He would be riding on his growing popularity as an emerging force with the potential to spring a major surprise at the polls. If that is not enough, he may need to turn up his game, which should be easy.