Explainers: Six intriguing facts playing out in the buildup towards Edo 2024 Governorship Election

By Bernadette Idalu

Edo State, whose motto is, "Heartbeat of the Nation," true to type, is full of action and activities which pump up the adrenaline rush of people, in tides and seasons. Below are intriguing facts in the buildup towards the September 21, Governorship Election.

1. Despite the "Home Boy" use by party flag bearers or candidates to reflect ownership of the political turf and connection to the people through playing the ethnic card, some grassroots persons have overtly or covertly through shared videos on social media denounced this claim, labeling such candidates as "Benin Home Boys," who have no affiliation with their core grassroots.

2. For visibility, candidates have resorted to patronage of artistes who make political music demo's, releases and jingles used for rallies and at campaign grounds. Through their representatives, such politicians visit markets and other places of interest, traversing the eighteen local government areas sharing branded items which reflect their principals and his ideals. Not forgetting the resort to the use of deceit, mischief and propaganda to tarnish the image of political opponents instead of engaging in straight campaigns. And, reintroduction of thugs and touts into the election process, leading to fear and voter apathy.

3. Citizen journalism, also known as "Collaborative media, participatory journalism, democratic journalism, guerrilla journalism or street journalism," is at its peak in Edo State, with members of the community now playing active roles in the process of "Collecting, reporting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information through use of the social media." Everyone has a say, political salvos get fired in all directions through disseminated videos, voice notes and images, leading to retaliatory attacks and need for mop ups of tarnished images and reputation.

4. Security of life and arms bearing by licensed and unlicensed persons is becoming a topic of worry, based on the crossfire, scampering to safety and reported death of a Police detail attached to the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. This untimely death is generating furor based on contradictory reports on the source of released gunfire that snuffed out the life of a serving Nigerian Mobile Policeman. 

5. There is a gradual reconciliation of political godfathers with their hitherto estranged godsons based on the need to forge political alliances ahead of the election.

6. The electorates have realized the beauty and power of negotiation over bad mouthing and resort to violence hence they lay bare their needs and wants. Intriguingly, those of the Esan stock revealed that they went as far as setting baits for key candidates to see who came through for them, at a time of need.