- Derek Izedonmwen’s candidacy, though facing monumental challenges, has shown that there is still space for integrity and issue-based politics in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole and ADC remains a party to reckon with
The Edo State election has come and gone, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announced the results of the governorship election the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner, leaving voters with the reality of their decisions, or lack thereof. As we reflect on the consequences of the 2023 general elections, we recognize that elections are not just about winning; they are about shaping the future. It is now the turn of the Edo people to accept the outcomes of their actions—or inactions—and to deal with the consequences of their choices.
As I mentioned during my senatorial run for Delta North in 2023, our votes reflect our expectations, values, and beliefs. Voting is more than a simple act; it’s a validation of the character, ideology, and vision of the candidate we choose to support. In Edo State, Derek Izedonmwen, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate, has shown that a campaign based on values, integrity, and a clear agenda can challenge the established order.
Derek Izedonmwen’s campaign stood out as a testament to what politics could be if driven by issues rather than money. Throughout the election, Izedonmwen focused on presenting practical solutions to the challenges facing Edo State. His message was clear: politics should be about people and policies, not about buying votes or making empty promises. Even though he was running against the so-called “big parties,” Derek Izedonmwen was able to cut through the noise and earn the respect of many voters. He did this by taking on the dominant parties directly, confronting their strongholds, and in some cases, outperforming even the assumed favorites, such as the Labour Party (LP) in various polling units.
A sample of 37 notable polling units in Oredo, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Uhunmwode, Essan South East, Egor, Essan Central, and Owan West shows ADC beating Labour at the 9 polling units and par with Labour in 5 of the 37 polled polling units. ADC was also highly competitive in the rest of the polled polling units under consideration.
This comparative analysis of the Edo election is not an attempt to belittle the impressive campaign of the Labour Party’s candidate or the popularity of LP in Edo State, but rather to highlight certain truths about the current Nigerian electoral landscape. Many critics assumed that by merely aligning with a Labour Party that surged to national prominence due to the “Obidient” movement led by Peter Obi, one’s election victory would be automatically secured or guaranteed. However, as Derek Izedonmwen’s campaign demonstrated, dismantling the grip of entrenched political parties, such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), requires much more than riding on the wave of a popular party.
Derek Izedonmwen’s performance serves as a reminder that character and issue-based campaigning can still resonate deeply with the electorate. Edo voters who supported Izedonmwen showed that they valued his integrity and commitment to real change over the lure of money politics. In many instances, voters were tired of the same cycle of poverty being weaponized by political elites to buy their way into power. The vote for Izedonmwen was a vote for hope, a sign that some citizens are ready to break free from the grip of APC and PDP, parties that are often seen as two sides of the same coin.
One of the most critical lessons from this election is the need for progressive parties—such as the LP and ADC—to unite and build a coalition capable of challenging the political status quo. While the popularity of a party may provide some advantages, it cannot replace the hard work of grassroots organizing, policy formulation, and earning the trust of the electorate. For any true change to occur, progressive candidates and parties must join hands and forge alliances that can deliver the masses from the grip of a political establishment that thrives on division and manipulation.
The Edo State election should be a wake-up call to anyone who believes that simply joining a popular party guarantees victory. Elections are won by those who offer real solutions to real problems. They are won by candidates who connect with the aspirations of the people and who are willing to confront the system that perpetuates poverty, inequality, and corruption.
Derek Izedonmwen’s candidacy, though facing monumental challenges, has shown that there is still space for integrity and issue-based politics in Edo State and Nigeria as a whole and ADC remains a party to reckon with. His campaign is a signal that the winds of change are blowing, and with time, Edo voters—and Nigerians at large—will become even more discerning. The fight for Edo State’s future does not end with one election. It is a continuous battle to ensure that the values of accountability, service, and integrity define the politics of the state.
While ADC Edo State may not have had a Peter Obi-Obidient and Barrister Olumide Akpata in this election, they had ADC Derek Izedonmwen, a candidate who stood firm on principles and sought to deliver real change to the people. The road to transforming Edo State may be long, but with candidates like Izedonmwen leading the way, there is hope that the politics of money and manipulation will one day give way to the politics of integrity and progress.
Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, the longest-serving European Diaspora leader and the current Deputy National Chairman (Diaspora Engagement) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) writes from his Global office in Germany
