It’s less than a week to the Edo State Governorship election and candidates have been pitching their manifestos to voters.

On Friday, five of the candidates participated in a debate organised by Channels Television, making a variety of promises if elected.

This evening, it was the turn of the two big masquerades to take the stage: incumbent Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki, and his main challenger, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Incidentally, both candidates contested in the 2016 version of the election with the former coming out tops.

In what is widely considered as a rematch, the circumstances couldn’t have been more different from 2016. Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu have switched political allegiances, with the former moving from the APC to the PDP after Ize-Iyamu switched sides. Also, former Edo Governor and APC Chieftain, Adams Oshiomhole, who backed Obaseki in 2016, has been campaigning for Ize-Iyamu.

Both candidates have toured the state in a campaign season sometimes marred by violence and hateful rhetoric.

The scenario was not different this Sunday night as they did not only talk about why they want to be elected governor but also exchanged ho words.

One of the highlights was when Ize-Iyamu challenged Obaseki, asking “where are the jobs?” which his administration claims to have created in the past four years. The Governor was, however, fully prepared and quickly replied with facts and figures.

Expect more details of the debate tomorrow in News Express.

Adapted from a Channels TV report.

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