Oshiomhole, Osunbor’s battle in crucial stage

An air of uncertainty pervades Edo State as submissions before the state’s election petition tribunal enters a crucial stage. EMMANUEL OBE reports. Though not directly related to the proceedings at the Election Petitions Tribunal, the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, which burst into the open on Thursday, may be setting the tone for what to expect as the people await the verdict of the tribunal on the gubernatorial petition. It was not expected that the ranks of the ruling party would be divided so soon, just a few months after it controversially won the governorship election. Led by two-time governor of the old Bendel State, the members of the PDP from the Edo South senatorial zone, where the opposition Action Congress made its greatest impact in the last April elections have threatened to quit the party if the Chief Tony Anenih-led leadership of the party in the state failed to let them produce the next state PDP Chairman.

Since April 16, 2007 when the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor of the PDP as the winner of the governorship election, the state, particularly, Benin City, the state capital had come under apparent suspense.

The immediate reaction to that INEC verdict was a widespread protest by AC supporters, who believed that their candidate, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, actually won the election, but was robbed of the mandate. After several days of holding down the city by the AC supporters, the then state Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a PDP stalwart in the state, and a perceived supporter of the AC candidate declared a curfew that lasted several days.

Then, the opportunity to seek redress came with the setting up of the election tribunal. Oshiomhole and his party promptly filed their petitions before the expiration of the deadline given for submission of petitions. Oshiomhole‘s petition turned out to be the only one challenging Osunbor‘s election as the other candidates quietly retreated to their homes and wound up issues relating to the election.

There were high expectations from the tribunal when it started work soon after the inauguration of the new government. In the early days, thousands of Oshiomhole‘s supporters would storm the venue of the trial and retire with him when the sitting was adjourned. The commotion the AC supporters caused each time they escorted him home created an impression that the PDP had no support. Oshiomhole would ride in an open van and do a road show around the city before retiring to his campaign office. In the course of the show, there would be serious traffic jams in the city.

The antics apparently might have caused the Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, to also attend the proceediongs of the tribunal. But rather than attract the support and cheers akin to that of Oshiomhole on the first day of his visit, he was stoned and jeered at by the AC supporters. The next time, he came with the governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, who got a similar treatment. And that was it. The police soon swung into action following a formal protest from Imasuen, who asked that Oshiomhole be called to order.

At the next sitting of the tribunal, the police trailed Oshiomhole to the AC office along Airport Road where they violently chased away commercial motorcycle operators who had made it a point of duty to escort the AC candidate home. In the process, several people were injured including a journalist with a private television station.

To curb the situation, which was becoming increasingly embarrassing to the government and its supporters, the police decided to barricade the usually busy and vital Sapele road along which the tribunal was situated each time Oshiomhole‘s petition came up for trial. The blockade had caused motorists and residents serious inconveniences, as they had to use other routes to get to their destinations, creating traffic jams in the process. The police also prevailed on Oshiomhole to stop his road shows and leave the premises of the tribunal under disguise to avoid the commotion his movements in town had always caused.

The trial is entering its final stages as the tribunal is taking the last batches of witnesses. The counsel to the parties are expected to make their final addresses within the next two weeks.
This has heightened expectations, especially with the news of the cancellation of the election of some state governors filtering in. Edo has been one of the states where it was speculated that a new party would emerge. Tensions among the principal actors at the tribunal has been high.

Oshiomhole had at a forum in Lagos last week an declared that he would be victorious at the tribunal. This attracted an immediate reaction from the Osunbor’s camp, which warned the former labour leader to mind his words. The issue was dragged to the tribunal by counsel to Osunbor where a robust debate had ensued between the two principal counsel, Ighodalo Imadobelo and Niyi Akintola. But the tribunal Chairman, Justice Olabanji Orilonishe, had warned the counsel to warn their clients from making statements on matters still before the tribunal.

The ground is getting set for celebrations should any party win. Osunbor is tightening security around the Government House with the recruitment of more security personnel and erection of more gates to restrict movement to the seat of government, given the volatile nature of the AC supporters. Whoever wins might not be material now. But there is palpable suspense in the air.