By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The outcome of the 2023 General Election may have taught Politicians hard lessons. They would not have believed, if it had come as a prophesy, of any sort, that electorates will stick to a party which pundits say “has no structures” to eventually win elections.
Yes, according to political gorus who claim to understand what the term structure stand for in party politics, it would be impossible for a Party like Labour Party to get the support of the people when they do not have presence in the grassroots.
But of course, these categories of politicians were taken aback on the day of election as the people voted massively against their postulations.
It was clear that voters did not vote according to party lines but voted for the party they believe had the right Candidates that are less greedy to occupy elective positions.
In Edo South Senatorial District, Labour Party had huge support from Voters which resulted in the emergence of a new breed Senator, Bar. Neda Imasuen, whom many say “tested the political waters for the first time
along side Esosa Iyawe as Oredo House of Representative member-elect even when ordinarily, he may not have had faith of winning the election with the calibre of people he contested with.
Edo South Senatorial District is a strong-hold any ruling party in the state will not compromise for anything, but the aftermath of the Presidential election opened the eyes of money bag politicians that the people are tired of politicians who do not really represent their interest at the red chambers.
Little wonder, days after the Presidential election, the State Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki paid visits to local governments , wards ,units and Associations he has not visited for a long time, appealing to the people to support his party’s(PDP)Candidates in the state house of Assembly election.
Despite these numerous visits that were accompanied with huge sum of money along with promise upon promise, the people still went out and voted their choice.
Even though, these choices did not materialize in INEC list of those who won the state house of Assembly election, there were traces that the hatchet men did not do enough for the party.
When the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki appointed the 18 liaison officers in the local government even when the HOS were still acting as Chairmen in their various LGAs, one begin to wonder what the Governor was up to? Little wonder did one understood that it was a calculation towards the general election.
Recently, it was reported that the 18 local government council laison officers have been sacked having failed to deliver the accliamed structure for their political party.
Investigations revealed that the Governor lost every ward in Oredo including his ward after the laison officers assured the Governor, Godwin Obaseki that they were on ground and would deliver their LGA to the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the general election.
Unconfirmed Reports have it that the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Iyoha Osaigbovo añd about 20 security personnels personally went to Oredo to dislodge the laison officer Tom Aroko from taking any government item along as he was sacked for not keeping his words during the election.
According to the report, Tom Aroko who was vicibly seen during the election in all the wards with his men had the information and stayed away from the local government council.
His aide, Henry Ukato was sent to pick his personal items in the office but was reportedly stopped by Hon. Iyoha Osaigbovo who was said to have collected the Hilux pick up and other government items from him.
Sacking the laison officers is an indicator of the fact that the Governor spent more than what he would have spent in the election.
With the pendency of election tribunal, everyone awaits the outcome as they were series of allegations of thugs destroying election results and replacing it with written ones .
Edo Labour Party under the leadership of Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi has waxed stronger in the face of this murky waters before, during and after the election.
The leadership style of Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi no doubt has contributed enormously to the genniue support the party recorded in the last election.
His humility and open door policy to members of the party is a booster to the morale of those working with him .
Surviving these tough days after the election has also created a positive energy for the party as they prepare for the Local government election.
Edo Labour Party must ensure that the Candidates they will field has the capacity to win election, most importantly personality wise and what it takes in all ramifications to win election for the party .
The People are ready to vote but will their votes be protected? This is the question every intended aspirants must be asked before giving him or her the party flag to fly both in the local government and Governorship election.