EBEN ENASCO REPORTING.
The race to 2027 is heating up in Edo State, with aspirants jostling for the sole ticket in each contest.
All eyes are now on the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
But for every politician who gets the APC ticket, many others will be left behind.
The future looks uncertain for politicians who quickly left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after losing Edo State to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
They defected for safety, not knowing they were walking into another trap. They forgot that loyal APC members who fought to bring the party to power also want those tickets.
It is becoming clearer that those who jumped the sinking PDP ship may have landed in a crowded APC boat — where old members are also scrambling for tickets.
The question now is: what happens to them?
With primaries still weeks away, tension is rising inside Edo APC.
Some Party leaders who shared their opinions say the field is crowded, especially for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats.
A senior APC chieftain in Benin, who asked not to be named, told us the party can only field one candidate per seat.
He admitted that managing losers will be the biggest test for party unity.
By law, only one candidate can represent each political party on the ballot and under electoral law, APC and other relevant parties can only field one candidate for each seat.
“We’re talking to everyone. Nobody will be left behind. But politics is a contest. Only one person gets the ticket.”he enthused.
Political analysts cut across say those who lose out have three options: stay and support the winner, defect to rival parties, or run away from politics.
According to a source, “APC’s biggest headache will be reconciliation after the primary election. If they fail, ADC, PDP, and now NDC Parties will be waiting with open arms.”
Already, opposition parties in Edo are reaching out to aggrieved APC aspirants who are more than willing to move if the choice doesn’t favour them.
But one factor may stop them from joining opposition parties: the ruling party could suspend them for anti-party activities.
These nomadic Aspirants who deflected from PDP and Labor Parties when they lost the Governorship seat may perpetually remain in comatose as it’s glaringly showing they may not be rewarded for a second tenure return.
Reports say they did not negotiate their return or secure any assurance of a stake before defecting to the ruling party where political observers now believe they decamped blindly.
However, the Party like the Aspirants may also be the losers if this is not carefully handled to wade off resistance.
In 2023, similar fallouts cost APC seats in Orhionmwon and Etsako.
The APC state chairman has promised a level playing field, but many aspirants say they want more than promises.
So, who will save those who won’t get APC’s tickets? For now, it’s a waiting game.
2027 is still months away, but the battle for Edo has already begun.