EDO 2016: Imansuagbon Angling To Succeed Oshiomhole, Joins APC

Frontline Edo State politician and a former Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon, formally defects to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in an apparent build up to the power struggle for the party’s ticket among other political heavyweights. PATRICK OCHOGA, writes

The political landscape in Edo state in the search for Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s successor was electrified last week with the formal declaration for the All Progressive Congress, APC, of a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon, who took the bold step to join the packs of powerful politicians eyeing the Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power in the state come 2016.

The politician in 2012 under the PDP umbrella failed to clinch the party’s ticket in a primary that was roundly skewed by the leadership of the party in favour of retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere.

Imansuagbon, who is popularly known as the “Rice Amanda” due to his yearly rice sharing in the state will contend for the APC ticket with the likes of the former Minister of Works, Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi; Edo State Commissioner of Work, Barrister Osarodion Ogie; Edo state deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, and Retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere.

His defection is a major setback for the PDP in Edo Central senatorial district and in the state when his supporters rolled out drums to welcome the philanthropist into the APC in a carnival-like ceremony with thousands of his followers.

Though, the politician, prior to his defection had quietly worked for the victory of the APC in his Esan South East local government area, a move which further clipped the wings of the PDP in the district.

The zone, hitherto, had been a herculean task for the APC in making incursion politically owing to the fact that it parades political heavy weights in the likes of the former BOT, Chairman of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih; the immediate past Minister for Works, Architect Mike Onolemenmen; Senator Odion Ugbesia, three time House of Representatives member, Hon Patrick Ikharale, former Speaker, Edo state House of Assembly and former member House of Representatives, Hon Friday Itulah among others.

Imasuagbon, in the last general election was said to have deplored his political arsenal and tactics during the house assembly election which turned the tide against the PDP and stopped the former deputy speaker, Hon Festus Ebea, a staunch loyalist to Chief Tony Anenih, from securing a return bid to the state house of assembly. Ebea, was reported to have blamed his political woes and loss to the political fire power of Imansuagbon.

He was quoted to have stated that his decision to pitch tent with the APC was strongly informed by his desire to contribute to the developmental stride of the Comrade- Governor in the state and support President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve his goals for Nigerians.

It will be recalled that Imasuagbon was a founding member and a major financier of the then AC, which is today part of the APC. He was said to have contributed to build the party secretariat in his Esan South local government area and paid N2million to rent the present location of the party’s secretariat along the Airport Road when it was then ADC.

The rice man was received formally into the APC by the leader of the party in the area, Mr. Victor Eboigbe and the chairman of the APC in the council, Bar. Chris Aghughu.

Receiving Imasuagbon, Eboigbe, who noted that Imasuagbon had since joined the party but that the occasion was just to celebrate him, stressing that his coming will add value to the APC in Edo Central and the state as a whole.

Shortly after receiving him in his ward, the party leaders proceeded to the council headquarters Ubiaja, where Imasuagbon was received by about eight members of the state House of Assembly including the Speaker, Victor Edoror.

Speaking on the occasion, the politician expressed gratitude to elders and people of Ewohimi for the warm reception they gave to him and appealed to the people of Esan to continue to support the administration of Governor Oshiomhole.

Meanwhile, a two-time governor of Mid West and defunct Bendel state, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, recently inaugurated a political platform at a roundtable forum aimed at shopping for a credible and unblemished successor who will take over from governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2016.

The former governor insisted Edo people must come together, reason, negotiate and act in unison to ensure that the legitimate aspiration of every Edo man and woman is fulfilled in a politically competitive Nigerian environment. According to him, “The reality is that the collective effort would be need to maximize the potentials of the Edo man or woman and Edo state ,thus the birth of the Edo Mass Movement”

While adding that he and a few Edo patriots have taken it upon themselves to find who will take the state to the next level, he added that: “This movement will largely be politically active but lean not to any partisan sentiments.

The periods when partisanship inclinations may become unavoidable would be when a person with a proven track record of achievement aspires for political office and he or she is able to command the support of the Movement as to necessitate a direct intervention to get him or her elected or appointed as the case may be”.