By Festus Ebhota

Edo state politics has been on the front burner of national discuss in recent times. Political contest are an essential component of democracy. And political conflicts no less important in the growth of democracy. However the level of toxicity in the political space of Edo state has never been this radioactive. Decorum has gone to the dogs,insults have become the norm. Fake endorsement and outright fake news has become the norm rather than the exception.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki desires a second term ticket on the platform of the APC. This is normal and well within his right to seek the ticket and contest so also does every other bona-fide member of the APC as long as they meet the constitutional requirements stipulated by the APC and the Nigerian constitution. It is note worthy to emphasize that the issues of disagreement between Obaseki and members of his political party are purely issues of disagreement in politics and style of governance and not sharing money.
Just like the governor has a right to seek reelection, party members also reserve the right to support whom ever they perceive would adequately synchronize politics and governance.

Everywhere in the world USA inclusive,political party stakeholders are carried along in issues of governance this is not stomach infrastructure or sharing the money as often alleged by the governor. For example the American Ambassador to the European Union Mr. Gordon donated $1m dollars to the inauguration of president Donald Trump. This is not sharing the money but bringing in critical stake holders into government. History is replete with examples like this. Like wise political patronage is about bringing in people of same political ideology into governance and service delivery in order to drive the party manifesto.
In 2020 politicians will be required to make donations and contributions towards the success of the governorship election in Edo state. A party member who owns a legitimate construction company and has not been patronized will find it difficult to contribute to the campaigns. State governments cannot spend state funds on campaigns. Individuals can. Patronage is not sharing the money. It is using party members with particular skill sets to deliver on specific campaign promises. This explains the frustration among party members who have complained about been left out of governance. If aggrieved members decide to withhold their support for the governor's second term bid for this reason they are well within their rights.

In 2016 continuity was a major selling point of the APC government led then by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. If many of the projects promised to be continued have actually been abandoned or not built upon, it gives cause for concern for the party when it returns to give stewardship and request for a fresh mandate in 2020.
Some have argued that this will not be a problem for the party judging in their own view by the perceived acceptance of the governor. It should be noted here that social media activism and internet bullishness does not equate to votes. A case study is the last general election when the APC lost to the PDP in his unit,ward,local government and senatorial zone despite this perceived popularity.

Support and endorsement should not be coaxed. Governor Obaseki is a western trained individual. If he has the numbers among members of the APC in Edo state and I believe he strongly feels so or would have Edo people believe then he should be patient for the primaries to clinch the party ticket. If by chance or destiny he doesn't get the APC ticket. He can ventilate his aspirations on another platform and if he is as popular as he says he is, then his RE election is a done deal irrespective of the platform.

But the incessant show of force or threats of oppression by government agencies against political opponents whether perceived or real has to stop. Smearing characters of political leaders built over many years and stocking the fire of discord cannot be a way to continue.
For the benefit of the people whom the Governor has sworn to serve, intra party conflicts should be settled in a caucus and not on the pages of newspapers or in the confines of an ivory tower or at the gate of a national leader or at the airport or at the hotels of elected party members or at Kingsquare or by sending thugs to disrupt lawfully gatherings of opponents. When mediation and compromise seem to not yield the desired result,then those who are unafraid should meet at the primaries.