A prominent indigene and the Yamah of Okpe Kingdom, Chief Olu Fashanu has described the choice of Engr. Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as deputy governor, as a deft political strategy that will give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship poll.
Fashanu who is also a leader of the PDP, noted that Omobayo’s coming on board as the deputy governor would unlock the potential of Akoko-Edo.
On Monday, Governor Godwin Obaseki in what came to many political observers, as a shock settled for former Labour Party (LP) House of Representatives candidate, Marvellous Omobayo, in the 2023 National Assembly elections as deputy governor against expectation in certain quarters that the governor will concede the position to the PDP legacy group.
Fashanu in a statement while expressing satisfaction and confidence in the ability of the party to triumph at the governorship election said the marginalised people of Owan will also share in the joy and sentiments of the Akoko-Edo people.
He said,“The calculation was very simple; since the old and new PDP in Akoko-Edo are intact and are routing for Dr Asue Ighodalo, there was need to court the LP/Obidient Movement in the local government area, which was won by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election with a slim margin.
“Second, with Akoko-Edo being recognised this way, the Owan people will be easy to court, they too, being marginalised in the Afemai politics. And the Owan people already have the Speaker of the House of Assembly so they are satisfied with the choice of Omobayo.
“Another buy-in strategy of this approach by Obaseki, which has been adjudged as strategic, calculative and a masterstroke is that as a youth, 38 years of age, Omobayo signifies Obaseki’s believe in the youth and their demography in Edo politics.
“No doubt, the nomination is a well hatched calculation reminiscent of other well thought out calculations by Governor Obaseki in the past. By involving PDP stakeholders such as Mrs Balogun (Mama PDP), Chief Fashanu, the Iyama of Okpe Kingdom and other critical stakeholders, the governor has deepened his knowledge in taking advice from his political base, which is essential in maintaining political unity and securing electoral victories.
“The strategy also highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue and consensus-building within party politics for the common good of all.
“Another interpretation of Omobayo’s choice is that Obaseki has been able to establish himself as a governor who is ready to work with all established political structures within PDP and outside of it,” he posited.
