The die is cast. Edo State highly anticipated governorship election begins this Saturday morning, September 21, 2024, as major contenders are locked in the last minute scheming and political maneuvering to clinch the coveted seat.

At least 17 candidates have been cleared by the electoral umpire to vie for the seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo State. However, political analysts have narrowed the poll down to the key three contenders in the race.

They are: ? Olumide Akpata, Labour Party (LP); Asue Ighodalo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Beyond the candidates featuring on the ballots, there are some key political players who may determine where the pendulum will finally swing. Our correspondent writes on seven of those politicians in this report.

Godwin Obaseki

Call it imposition or anything, eight years ago, Obaseki enjoyed overwhelming support and influence of his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, to emerge as Edo State Governor before the duo fell apart.

The incumbent is lending similar political support system to Ighodalo in Saturday?s election. But whether or not Obaseki will match Oshiomhole?s feat by single-handedly installing a successor remains a question of time.

However, securing incumbent governor?s backing plays a major role in any candidate?s victory. This is not far-fetched considering the enormous political power, machinery and state?s finance under his kitty.

Obaseki is also in a fierce battle for his political survival and he will go to any length to deliver his candidate in the election.

After all, he reportedly said the Saturday?s election will be a do or die affair.

Adams Oshiomhole

As a two-term governor and serving Senator, Adams Oshiomhole remains a major factor in Edo election. This perhaps earned him the slot of the APC Campaign council?s chairman in the state. Oshiomhole installed Obaseki, but the political godfather-to-son romance did not last. Obaseki, during his re-election bid in 2020, was forced out of the then ruling APC in the state to pick governorship ticket of PDP no thanks to his sour relationship with Oshiomhole.

Pundits have labelled the Saturday?s poll as another round of Obaseki ? Oshiomhole political battle as both of them are all out to exert their political dominance.

Relying on the federal might and coupled with his home-based political influence, Oshiomhole is a force to reckon with. Most importantly, the former governor is playing his role as the leader of campaign. He is arguably more visible in the campaign than the APC?s candidate.

He stoked controversy recently when he called Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, childless. Oshiomhole was defending Okpebholo after Obaseki?s wife said only the PDP candidate has a wife.

Reacting in an interview with journalists, Oshiomhole said he was shocked to hear Betsy say Okpebholo has no wife.

Gabriel Igbinedion

The Esama of Benin, Chief (Dr) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, clocked 90 few days ago and his residence in Benin turned a mecca of sort as political leaders thronged his home not necessarily for the birthday celebration, to seek his blessings for the election.

The father of Lucky, former Governor of the state, not only has political influence, but also the financial muzzle to change the narrative in the Saturday?s election.

Interestingly, Oshiomhole publicly at the birthday celebration, sought for forgiveness from the Esama of Benin for any past wrongs during his tenure as governor.

During a goodwill message at the banquet celebrating Igbinedion?s 90th birthday on Saturday in Benin, Oshiomhole described Igbinedion as a good father.

He praised the elder statesman?s contributions to the society and took the opportunity to seek atonement.

Oshiomhole publicly recognised the crucial support he received from Igbinedion during his political career.

?I want to publicly acknowledge your support for me in 2007 and 2008, without which I might never have become the governor of Edo State,? he said.

?As a Catholic, I want to confess that I might have done some things I shouldn?t have done as governor.

?At 90, it is only right that I ask for your forgiveness for any of my actions that may have irritated you,? he added.

He compared Igbinedion?s vast influence and large number of supporters to a parent with many children, some of whom inevitably cause frustration.

Philip Shaibu

The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, is another factor that?ll shape the narrative of Saturday?s election.

After falling out Obaseki and his controversial impeachment, Shaibu declared support for the candidate of APC.

Shaibu, a former governorship aspirant on the PDP platform, said his action ? supporting an opposition candidate ?- is not ?anti-party?, adding that Obaseki had said everybody was free to choose who to support in any election.

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, says that everybody has the right to support whoever he wants to support, but he also forgot that he doesn?t have the right to stop anybody from whom he wants to support.

?But I take one part from what he said: We all have the right to support whom we want to support, so it?s my right to decide who I want to support,? he said.

Lucky Igbinedion

Like father like son cliche aptly captures his influence.

Many governors and former governors in Nigeria have high levels of influence beyond their states. Lucky Igbinedion is believed to be one such former governor.

He left the Edo State seat in 2007, the son of Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of the Kingdom of Benin, continues to be a dominant and charismatic force in the state?s politics.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a grassroots politician, two-time governorship candidate, former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo state government.

Ize-Iyamu is another household name in Edo politics whose political influence will shape the election.

He had earlier thrown his hat into the ring for the governorship poll on the platform of the APC. He later withdrew from the race to back Okpebholo after emerging as the party?s candidate. (Adapted from a Daily Trust report)

Update news