Edo Decides 2020: Meet The Candidates

As we prepare for the Edo state Governorship election, Allnews.ng Is bringing to you the profile of all the contestants that will be battling for the state’s Governorship seat come September 19,2020.

While It is a tradition for attention to be placed on the candidates of the two top contending parties The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, it is also pertinent for you to at least have information of other contenders who might not be given enough media attention.

With 14 Political parties fielding candidates at the Edo state governorship election Allnews.ng bring you a profile of  the 14 contenders of the Edo state Governorship seat.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Aspirant

Name: Mabel Akomu Oboh

Age: 56

Occupation: Tv Presenter/ Movie Producer

Place of Birth: Uromi, Edo state

Highest Education Qualification: Diploma

University Attended: Buckinghamshire new University (England)

Brief Profile: Mabel Akomu Oboh, is a Seasoned Broadcaster, Producer and actress that starred in a couple of Nigerian television series of the 80’s and other Nollywood movies.

Mabel who worked as a Broadcaster with Federal Government owned television station NTA also runs a Non-Governmental Organization named Mabel Oboh Centre for Save Our Stars (MOCSOS).

The NGO according to Mabel was set-up to help aging entertainers like Sadiq Daba and others whose health were derailing. She further said that the need for the NGO was triggered after the manner at which veteran movie stars like Sam Loco Efe, Enebili Enebuwa and others lost their lives.

While in NTA, she wrote, produced and also acted in Victims, a drama series that later became a network production in the ‘80s. With this feat, Mabel became the second female producer in Nigeria after Lola Fani-Kayode of Mirror in the Sun fame.

Mabel who married for the second time in May 2019 after divorcing her husband 15 years ago will be looking to unseat Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Edo state Governorship elections scheduled for September 19 2020.

It will be recalled that the veteran broadcaster had during an interview with the Sun newspaper pointed men to be her greatest headache while she was a broadcaster; the big question now is will she be able to handle the chunks of men she will be dealing with if she eventually wins at the Governorship polls?

Mabel is the second female candidate that will be jostling for the Edo Governorship race.

 

Action Democratic Party (ADP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Iboi Lucky Emmanuel

Age:36

Occupation: Business/ Financial Analyst

Place of Birth: Ovia South-west Okomu-Udo

Highest Education Qualification: WASC

University Attended:

Brief Profile: With WASSE certificate as his highest academic qualification, 36 years old Ibio Lucky Emmanuel who has since then been involved in farming will be looking to unseat incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki at the forthcoming election.

Ibio who also does not have any work experience stated in his INEC screening form is also in the Governorship race to test his popularity.

 

All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate

Name: Ize-Iyamu Osagie Andrew

Age: 58

Occupation: Legal Practitioner

Place of Birth: Benin City

Highest Education Qualification: BL, LLB

University Attended: UNIBEN

Brief Profile: Osagie Ize-Iyamu is another clergyman in the Edo Governorship election race. Iyamu who is the main contender of the Governorship seat carpet crossed from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he lost the election back in 2016, to All Progressive Congress (APC) the party on which Governor Godwin Obaseki won the governorship election in 2016.

He will be contesting against Obaseki who is the flag bearer of his former political party and 12 others come September 2020.

His forefather, Chief Odia was the Iyase'N’ohenmwen (Prime Minister) of Benin in the reign of Oba Osemwende (1816 – 1848 A.D).

Ize-Iyamu who seems to be following the path of his fore father was the National vice-chairman, South-South Zone of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Before moving to Peoples Democratic Party where he contested for the Governorship seat in 2016, Ize-Iyamu was previously a member of the All Progressives Congress as He served as Director General of Adams Oshiomhole's 2nd term Campaign Organisation.

He was also the Coordinator of Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation. Recently, he was honoured by the Benson Idahosa University with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration.

Ize-Iyamu was recently accused by (PDP) of stealing the simple agenda used by a gubernatorial candidate, Don-Pedro, in 2015.

PDP who took to their twitter page to make a shocking revelation about the main contender’s campaign plan shared a video from 2015 where the aspirant shared his campaign vision during a television interview.

Also, the APC’s flag bearer has also been charged to Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged involvement in a N700M fraud.

Ize-Iyamu who is a law graduate from the University of Benin is also a decent of royalty as his father was a revered high chief of the Oba of Benin, ranking second in command until his demise as the Esogban of Benin.

Ize-Iyamu is one of the candidates with a very high chance of winning the Edo governorship election.

 

 

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship Candidate

Name: Idehen Osagie Lucky

Age: 40

Occupation: Agriculturalist

Place of Birth: Isievebee village

Highest Education Qualification: BSc

University Attended: UNN

Brief Profile: A graduate of Public Administration from the University of Nigeria Nsukka Idehen Osagie Lucky is another Governorship candidate looking to send Godwin Obaseki from the Government house of Edo state.

With a very minimal level of popularity, Idehen will be contesting as an underdog at the Governorship post.

His entry into the Governorship poll can be classified as a test of Popularity.

Currently an Agriculturalist, the only work experience as seen on Idehen’s INEC form is his compulsory 1 year National Youth Service Corps program.

With no other evidence of work experience, Idehen might be raising a question as to his leadership capacity and his experience level.

 

 

Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Governorship Candidate

Name: Igbineweka Osamuede

Age: 42

Occupation: Business Man

Place of Birth: Benin City

Highest Education Qualification: BSc

University Attended: Ambrose Alli University

 

Brief Profile: A graduate of Amborse Alli University, Igbineweka Osamuede will be looking to unseat Governor Godwin Obaseki at the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo state.

Osamuede who spoke after winning the ticket of APM in his acceptance speech promised to make poverty and insecurity a thing of the past if elected as governor of the state also charged that it was high time youths took over the mantle of leadership in the state.

Being a renowned businessman, Osamuede will be looking to improve the revenue and economic status of the state.

 

Action Peoples Party (APP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Areloegbe Amos Osalumese

Age: 52

Occupation: Financial Consultant/ Auditor

Place of Birth: Ughelli, Delta State

Highest Education Qualification: BSc

University Attended: Ambrose Alli University

Brief Profile: Areloebge Amos Osalumese is another clergyman in the Governorship race. Being the flag bearer of APP, Osalumese will be looking to unseat Godwin Obaseki at the Governorship polls.

Being a graduate of Accounting from Ambrose Alli University, Osalumese who has worked at the Cocoa research institute and rubber research institute resigned in 2016 to contest for the Governorship elections in 2016.

Osalumese was made an Eminent Peace Ambassador under The International Association of World Peace Advocate (United Nations).

With his wealth of experience in the accounting field, Osalumese might be looking to strengthen the accountability level in governance if elected as the Governor of Edo state.

 

Labour Party (LP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Osifo Uhun-Ekpenma Isaiah

Age: 60

Occupation: Lecturer/ Farming

Place of Birth: Uvbe-nisi

Highest Education Qualification: PHD

University Attended: UNIBEN

Brief Profile: Osifo who is having his first try at the election for the Edo State Governorship seat is a Part-time lecturer at Lucky Igbinedion University. The Lecturer who has a very low level of popularity across the state is believed to have entered the Governorship race to test his popularity.

Osifo served at the Government house under the Professor Oserheimen Osunbor administration whose rulership was cut short by the Supreme court judgment that invalidated his election and brought in Adams Oshiomhole as the Governor of the state.

Despite having his first shot at the Governorship position of the state, Osifo who might not have much influence as a candidate will be looking to bask on the prominence of the Party which he is flying their flag Labour Party (LP), Considering the fact that Adams Oshiomhole won his first Governorship election on the platform of this Political party.

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Agol Ebun Tracy

Age:48

Occupation: Trader

Place of Birth: Ibadan

Highest Education Qualification: WASC

University Attended:

Brief Profile: Agolebun Tracy is the one of the two female candidates in the governorship race. Tracy, who is not so popular politically, is believed to be in the Governorship polls to test her popularity. With trading as her profession, the NNPP flag bearer might be having the backing of petty traders who also make a reasonably large number of the electorate.

The NNPP flag bearer will be the first ever Female Governor if she emerges victorious at the poll of the state that has never produced a female Deputy Governo not to talk of Governor.

 

National Rescue Movement (NRM) Governorship Candidate

Name: Ozono Stevie Nash

Age: 53

Occupation: IT Professional

Place of Birth:

Highest Education Qualification: BSC, BTech

University Attended: South Bank University (London)

Brief Profile: Ozone Stevie Nash is a renowned IT consultant and Owner of UK based record label and music publishing company. Ozone who is a newcomer to the Governorship tussle will be looking to unseat the Incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Ozone who had his Higher Education in Business and Finance in 1999 and graduated with BSc Hons in Business Information Technology in 2002 at London South Bank University, is an entrepreneur, professional IT expert, Agile Business Analyst, a Cryptocurrency Consultant and investor. Looking at his wealth of Financial and management experience, the candidate of NRM will be looking to better the economic and financial status of the state if elected as the state governor.

 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Obaseki Godwin Nogheghase

Age: 63

Occupation: Investment Banker

Place of Birth: Benin City

Highest Education Qualification: BA, MBA

University Attended: UI

Brief Profile:

Obaseki Godwin Nogheghase is the sitting Governor of Edo state. The Governor who got elected in 2016 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress decamped to the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he was disqualified from the party’s primary election.

Obaseki will be looking to retain his Governorship seat but this time on the platform on (PDP).

Having his first degree in Classical studies, Obaseki will be who has turned out to be a very successful investment banker founded Afrinvest West Africa Limited (formerly Securities Transactions & Trust Company Limited (SecTrust) ) in 1995 which has become the leading stock broking firm in Nigeria, pioneering major innovations and providing leadership in the Nigerian Securities market.

Also, Obaseki has served on the Presidential Committee on the Reform of the Nigerian Pension System.

Obaseki who had frequently been in the news over the disagreement he had with his predecessor will be battling his predecessor's blessed candidate to retain his Governorship post come September 19 2020.

Attaining his early education in St. Matthews Anglican Primary School Benin City and Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Benin City, Obaseki furthered his education at the University of Ibadan, before moving to Columbia University and Pace University in New York. He has a BA in Classics and MBA in Finance and International Business.

Obaseki is also a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria, an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Program and was nominated a Global Leader for Tomorrow (GLT) by the World Economic Forum in 2001.

 

 

Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Obayangbon Felix Izekor

Age: 65

Occupation: Farming

Place of Birth: Igudnazuwa Ovia s/west LGA

Highest Education Qualification: SSCE

University Attended:

Brief Profile: Flying the flag of the Social Democratic Party is Obayangbon Felix Izeror. Felix who seems to be contesting for the purpose of testing his popularity has described himself as a Hardworking, diligent and honest man who strongly believes in the progress of the good people of Edo state. With SSCE being his highest educational qualification, Obayangbon who is contesting on the platform of one of the top 5 political parties in Nigeria might be looking to bask on the popularity of the party and support from farmers in the state.

 

 

Young Progressive Party (YPP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Osagionare Jones

Age:52

Occupation: Clergy and Businessman

Place of Birth: Benin City

Highest Education Qualification: SSCE

University Attended:

Brief Profile: Osagionare Jones is another clergy man that will be battling to emerge as the winner of the Edo state Governorship election. While Pastor Osazie Ize-Iyamu is a popular clergyman and one of the favorites to win the Governorship election.

Describing his lifestyle as simple, the clergy who will be contesting at the Governorship polls on the platform of YPP further revealed that he has spent 17 years of his life conducting trainings and educating the youths on Positive character and mentality through his NGO Network on the Reduction of Violence in Nigeria (NEREVIN).

Osagionare will be looking at doing more in the area of reduction of violence in the state if he eventually succeeds at the Edo state Governorship elections scheduled for September 2020.

 

Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Governorship Candidate

Name: Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena

Age: 39

Occupation: Public servant

Place of Birth: Agenebode-iviukwe etsako east

Highest Education Qualification: BSc

University Attended: UNIBEN

Brief Profile: Akhalamhe Amiemenghena is one of the youngest candidates that will be contesting at the Edo state Governorship election in September.

Amiemenghena who is a public servant in Edo state is a graduate of Accounting from University of Benin. With the wealth of experience he gained as a public servant and an accounting graduate, it will be very easy to say that the ZLP flag bearer will not under perform if he emerges winner at the Governorship election in September

 

Action Alliance (AA) Governorship Aspirant

Name: Edemakhiota Godwin Osaimiamia

Age: 35

Occupation:

Place of Birth:

Highest Education Qualification: SSCE

University Attended:

Brief Profile: We were unable to reach the candidate of the Action Alliance party as his copies of his credentials were not on the INEC official portal due to the fact that he was not the candidate fielded by the party initially.

However, the Phone number of Osaimiamia gotten from the Action Alliance secretariat on Wednesday 29th of July 2020 has been unreachable.

Allnews.ng however reached out again to the party secretariat, where we were told that the contact of the candidate given to us was the only means they had to enable us reach out to the aspirant.

Going further, we also reached out to his running mate who insisted that we come down to Edo state for him to grant us any form of audience.