_By Desmond Ugbo_
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State made a telling decision to hold their gubernatorial campaign finale at the Garrick Memorial Ground instead of the iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. This choice speaks volumes about the party’s assessment of their political fortunes in the upcoming election.
It is evident that the PDP senses an impending defeat, which has driven their reluctance to utilize the Ogbemudia Stadium as the venue for their grand finale. The stadium, with its sizeable capacity and symbolic significance, would have provided the perfect stage for a resounding display of the party’s support and momentum, if only they have the numbers. However, the PDP’s choice of the smaller Garrick Memorial Ground suggests that they lack the confidence and the numbers to fill the larger stadium.
Furthermore, the exodus of prominent “aboriginal” PDP members to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) camp, led by notable political figures and seasoned politicians, has severely diminished the PDP’s membership strength and support base across the three Senatorial districts in Edo State. This mass defection is a clear indication that the electorate has rejected the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The contrast between the PDP’s muted finale and the APC’s grand rally at the sizeable University of Benin Sport Complex, is a symbolic representation of their respective strengths and weaknesses. The PDP’s unwillingness to utilize the stadium, coupled with the party’s dwindling influence and support, suggests that the Edo electorate has decisively shifted their allegiance to the APC and its gubernatorial ticket.
Ultimately, the PDP’s strategic decision to avoid the Ogbemudia Stadium is a tacit acknowledgment of their diminished standing in Edo politics. As the September 21st election approaches, the party’s chances appear to be fading, and the people’s preference for the APC has become increasingly evident.
