Edo 2024: Poll Shows 78% Of Voters Support Zoning

– Decry state of Roads

An Eagle Badger poll of 1,017 registered voters in Edo State has revealed that 78% of voters support zoning and power rotation; and that the number one pain point for voters across the three senatorial districts as the 2024 governorship election approaches is roads.

In a randomised telephone survey conducted on the 5th of January, 2024, voters across the three senatorial districts where asked a simple question: “Do you support power rotation and zoning the governorship across Edo North, Edo South and Edo North?” The majority of respondents across the state said they support the rotation of political power across the senatorial zones. 82% of respondents in Edo North said yes; 80% in Edo Central support zoning and 72% of respondents in Edo North support zoning as well.

HOwever, when further asked where exactly political parties should zone their governorship tickets to, 73% of respondents picked Edo Central; 16% picked Edo South and 11% picked Edo North.

The two main reasons given for supporting zoning were “equity, fairness and justice” and “inclusiveness”. Conversely, the two alternative reasons given by those not in favour of zoning were that “competence” and “merit” should be the primary determinants of who emerges as governor.

Roads, Roads, Roads.

Across the three senatorial districts the main issue respondents wanted the next governor to tackle was roads. Respondents were aware that many of the inter-town highways were federal government roads; but they believed the State Government should intervene because the poor roads were affecting Edo residents; and were linked to poor economic outcomes and rising insecurity.

Sharon Orisakwe, Managing Director of Eagle Badger, stated that voters exhibited high levels of intention to vote in the upcoming elections and that more than 90% of respondents had collected their Permanent Voters Cards. “There is some doubt in the minds of respondents about whether the 2024 Edo Governorship elections will be free and fair; as the majority of respondents stated they were not satisfied with the outcome of the 2023 General Elections. This of course may depress actual voter turnout on the day regardless of intent to vote; so parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must work hard to rebuild trust in the electoral process”, Ms. Orisakwe stated.

“Like we accurately captured in our national polls months before the 2023 Presidential Elections; there appears to be a similar sentiment in support of power rotation in Edo State. Gov. Adams Oshiomole from Edo North served for 8 years; then he was followed by the current governor Gov. Obaseki from Edo South who is currently ending his 8 year term. It will be interesting to track if this sentiment will affect the outcome of party primaries; and how much of an effect this power rotation sentiment will have on voter behaviour when elections occur in September.”

As candidates are yet to emerge from political party primaries, the Eagle Badger poll did not ask voters who they would vote for; however the aspirants who respondents were most ’awareness’ of across the the political parties are Dr. Asue ighodalo in the PDP, Pastor Ize Iyamu in the APC and Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon in the Labour Party.

INEC has announced that the Edo Governorship Election will take place on Saturday, 21st September, 2024.