The fallout from the 2024 Edo State governorship election has reignited political tensions, especially within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Asue Ighodalo, once hailed as the party’s best hope of reclaiming power, suffered a crushing defeat that many now attribute to unresolved internal fractures—chief among them, the political shadow cast by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Rev. Michael Egharevba, a former PDP insider, claims the party’s electoral loss was not merely strategic failure but rooted in a quest for revenge. According to him, PDP leaders deliberately distanced themselves from Obaseki due to his past defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), an action he says fractured party unity and alienated core supporters.
This alleged vendetta, Egharevba suggests, created an unbridgeable divide that ultimately undermined Ighodalo’s candidacy. While Ighodalo’s personal credentials were strong, the rift within the party diluted his momentum and weakened his appeal across voter blocs.
Political observers are also pointing to the APC’s calculated alliance-building as a decisive factor. Led by national figures like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC successfully formed coalitions with smaller parties to present a united front. This strategy, according to analysts, outmaneuvered a PDP that was too distracted by internal battles to mount an effective campaign.
Beyond the electoral math, the result has reignited conversations about political vendettas and party loyalty in Nigerian politics. Frequent defections and shifting allegiances continue to blur ideological lines, leaving many parties vulnerable to internal sabotage driven more by personal grievances than policy differences.
Rev. Egharevba further stirred the waters by predicting the eventual collapse of the anti-Tinubu coalition, hinting at more dramatic shifts in national politics. His bold assertion adds a new dimension to the unfolding realignment, not just in Edo but across Nigeria.
Tensions in Edo State had been simmering long before election day. Governor Obaseki, once a PDP stalwart after falling out with the APC, became a polarizing figure even within his adopted party. Accusations of anti-party activities and secret negotiations dogged his administration, fueling suspicion and resentment among PDP loyalists.
Ighodalo’s campaign, once seen as a breath of fresh air, ultimately bore the burden of these divisions. Despite his qualifications and public appeal, the perception that he was backed by a controversial figure proved damaging in a political climate charged with suspicion and blame.
The 2024 Edo election has now become a case study in how personal politics and unresolved grievances can derail a party’s chances—even with a promising candidate. As PDP faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and unity, questions remain about its strategy and future viability in a state increasingly dominated by an agile and united opposition.