The search for a respectable, formidable, and capable candidate to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election is about to begin. Prominent party members from all around the state are competing.

President Bola Tinubu as the national leader of APC will have a huge say in who picks the ticket. Also expected to play a major role are former Governors John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, state chairman of the party, Col. David Imuse (rtd), former Deputy Governors Lucky Imasuen, Pius Odubu, former Secretary to the State Government and a top leader of the party in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, National Women Leader of the party, Dr. Mary Alile, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), senatorial leaders and all stakeholders in the state.

The right to vote and be voted for is a fundamental one provided the individual satisfies all electoral requirements. It is in view of this that everyone who is qualified electorally can aspire to any position in a party.

Still, the quantity of candidates expressing interest in the position is increasing daily. In the face of a formidable opposition, this might make the party weaker. As of last week, there were twenty-five candidates vying for a ticket. Because Governor Godwin Obaseki’s replacement must come from his party, it should be noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government has pledged to hold onto power in the state. All well-meaning APC members ought to counsel the candidates for governorship to avoid feeding the opposition’s agenda. There will only be one winner in the end, and those who don’t get their way might not give up easily. The danger is right here.

It will be in the interest of the APC to democratically prevail on the many aspirants to step down for the one who is most popular among them and also well known to the electorate.  From all indication, Oshiomhole and Ize-Iyamu are in the prime position of winning the governorship election for the party. Of a truth,  PDP has failed to deliver dividends of democracy to the people who are ready with their voters cards to vote out the party.

As things stand now, it is safe to assume that the APC will win the forthcoming governorship election if a strong candidate, barring the unforeseen acts of  back stabbing, backbiting and sabotage. APC should tread with caution. Its paramount interest now should be the onerous task of liberating the state from the seeming imprisonment of its citizenry by political gladiators who would not let go of power. The last local government election which was characterised by open manipulation is enough lesson for the APC faithful. Ordinarily, a party that has performed creditably need not panic that another  election is around the corner.  But the contrary is the case for the PDP administration in the state because of its poor report card. The APC should therefore wake up early to look inwards and avoid those things likely to cause internal squabbles and dissension. All green horns without electoral experience should  step down for men with huge followership. It is only the presentation of a formidable candidate, no matter where he comes from, that can effectively deal with the kind of opposition on the ground. Fielding an unpopular candidate is the beginning of failure. The party should come up with a consensus candidate that can stand on his own and give the opponents a run for their money. Many have been given political appointments to mobilise and galvanise support from their respective grassroots for the election. Indeed, the state government has started brainwashing the electorate, most of whom are uneducated, illiterate, ignorant and inarticulate. Democracy is a game of numbers and the electorate can be bamboozled and easily manipulated by the use of state resources because of the level of poverty and hunger in the land.