By METROWATCH
As the build up to the September 2024 Governorship elections hots up, fresh indications have emerged that Governor Godwin Obaseki is weighing his support for Asue Ighodalo following the litany of litigations on his candidacy.
Political pundits are of the view that being oblivious of the dire consequences of being caught napping, the governor is already up with his ‘plan-B’ which is to dump the PDP candidate for Olumide Akpata, the Labour party gubernatorial flag bearer.
Rumours of Governor Obaseki’s preference for Labour party’s Akpata against his friend, Asue Ighodalo, is gaining grounds especially with the fears of the series of litigation arising over his candidacy.
Before now, Obaseki, who has been reported to be increasingly uncomfortable with Ighodalo, has expressed some fears to his close associates about the PDP candidate’s ‘stubborn’ attitude in recent times, a reminder of his relationship towards his predecessor in the wake of his campaign for governorship in 2016.
Obaseki has also been peeved at Ighodalo’s choice of Matthew Idurioyenwmen as the Director-General of the campaign council against his preferred Osaro Idah.
Inside sources divulged that the choice of Idurioyenwmen was the reason Obaseki has not been directly involved in the campaign activities since the inception of the electioneering activities.
“The Governor believes that Asue Ighodalo may spring surprises after winning the election, especially with people like Idurioyenwmen around him.
The Government House sources added that with the kind of fears surrounding the many court cases against Ighodalo, Governor Obaseki’s discomfort against Asue Ighodalo has increased and has indicated readiness to go with Olumide Akpata as alternate plan.
“In the next few days, you are going to see a turnaround in the fortunes of Akpata’s campaign as Obaseki has thrown his full weight behind the Labour party candidate.”
The Appeal court was already sitting over the status of the PDP candidacy with fears that he may be disqualified.
The situation may become more precarious as the judicial arm has embarked on holiday, a situation that may delay the pursuit of justice in case of eventuality.
As a result, a worried Obaseki was said to have decided to dump Ighodalo for Akpata.
The situation in Dennis Osadebey Government House, Benin city, has been compounded by friends and associates of the governor who have been gossiping that “Asue Ighodalo does not have good luck.”
A particular PDP leader was said to have publicly told the Governor during the weekend not to put any more hope in the Ighodalo project as the man seemed to have bad luck.
The PDP leader was quoted as saying, despite everything put into Asue project, there is still no hope at all.
