Edo ACN, PDP strategise for 2012 guber polls

THE battle for the governorship seat in Edo State between the incumbent Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is gathering pace with both political groupings marshalling their strategies to woo voters.While a former National Executive Council (NEC) member of the PDP, Henry Idahagbon, and erstwhile spokesman of the party, Nosa Adams, explained why they left the PDP for the ACN, the state Chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, said the party would ensure a level playing field for all its governorship aspirants to ensure that the best emerges as its standard-bearer.He spoke when an aspirant, Kenneth Imasuangbon, visited the party's secretariat to formally declare his intention.Imansuagbon pleaded with the party to give all aspirants a level playing ground, adding: 'The PDP today is in the streets sharing rice to Edo people because of the hunger inflicted on the people by the ACN-led government in the state. Oshiomhole must apologise to the people', he said.But addressing a press conference in Benin City, Idahagbon and other executive members of a group, Edo United for Good Governance (EDUGG), said they were working for Oshiomhole's re-election.When asked why they are now campaigning for Oshiomhole whom they used to deride while in PDP, Idahagbon said: 'Even while in PDP, we acknowledged the good work of the comrade governor, but the internal contradictions in PDP came to the fore. Very many of us were treated like strange bedfellows who had been prepared for sacrifice at the shrine.'To a blind person, Oshiomhole's performance is visible. That is why some of us who used to admire Oshiomhole in secret, decided to come out publicly to acknowledge him. That led to our decision to quit PDP'.Meanwhile, another PDP aspirant, Maj.-Gen. Charles Arhiavbere (rtd), has said clinching the ticket was not a matter of life and death to him.Arhiavbere, who spoke at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) office in Benin, said whoever earned the ticket would get his backing. He described PDP as an institution and said its decision must be respected at all times.'I have never got anything easy. I rose through the ranks in the Nigerian Army and I am sure I have the wherewithal to lead Edo State', he said.He disclosed that he has visited all the 18 local council areas in the state and claimed that there was a disconnect between the government and the people.The aspirant also promised to revive farm settlements to ensure that agriculture becomes the mainstay of the state's economy.According to him, the family and schools should be made more vibrant in the fight against insecurity.
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