FORTY days to its February 22 governorship primaries in Edo State, the ruling Peoples Democratic, PDP, is locked in a dilemma over zoning of its ticket.
The party leadership also has issues arising from the ceding of the ticket to Governor Godwin Obaseki, in 2020, to resolve as a number of serious contenders from the three senatorial zones of Edo jostle for the PDP ticket for the September 21 poll.
Currently, no fewer than six aspirants have collected the five million naira expression of interest form.
Early birds
Those who have so far paid and obtained the PDP expression of interest forms include: Blessing Igbenedion; incumbent Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu; Boardroom Guru, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; Felix Akhabue; former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Anslem Ojezua and two-member of the House of Representatives, and winner of the 2020 governorship primaries in Edo, Mr. Ogbeide Ihama.
As expected, powerful political stakeholders are locked in a flurry of activities, aligning and re-aligning in the battle for the PDP ticket.
Power brokers
There is a rat-race of sorts for the buy-in of three power brokers, namely, the party leadership in Edo and at the centre; Governor Obaseki; and would-be delegates at the primaries.
Governor Obaseki, who first came to power on the platform of the APC, got re-elected on the banner of the PDP.
He left the APC for the PDP after he was schemed out of the race for the APC ticket by his immediate predecessor, erstwhile godfather, and then APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who is now representing Edo North in the Senate.