ON WEDNESDAY, Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face or 2Baba, made a striking appearance at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. Accompanied by his new partner, Natasha Osawaru, the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, the pair’s appearance caught the attention of both political observers and the public alike.
Osawaru, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader in the state legislature, was elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the same party involved in the ongoing election petition.
The tribunal, which is set to deliver its verdict on a legal challenge to the September 2024 governorship election, is at the centre of a tense political standoff. The PDP, alongside its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has filed a petition seeking to annul the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The petition alleges that the election did not adhere to the strict guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, which governs elections in Nigeria.
The case, which has attracted considerable public and media attention, hinges on claims of electoral irregularities and procedural discrepancies. To support their claims, the PDP has presented 19 witnesses and a range of documents. Meanwhile, the APC has called only four witnesses, with no participation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its defence.
A critical moment in the case came on March 3rd, when the three-man panel of judges, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, decided to reserve its judgment after both sides had submitted their final written addresses. Since then, supporters from both political camps have flocked to Abuja, eager to witness the outcome of what could be a game-changing decision for the political future of Edo State.
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2Baba’s involvement in the tribunal proceedings, while seemingly a personal and political gesture, adds a layer of public interest to the case. The celebrated musician’s personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention in recent months. In January,
2Baba publicly announced his separation from his wife, Annie Idibia, which was followed by news of his engagement to Natasha Osawaru the following month. The couple, who have since been seen together frequently at various public events, further fuelled speculation about their relationship, culminating in Natasha changing her Instagram bio to reflect her connection to 2Baba, now carrying his surname, Idibia.
Despite the personal narrative surrounding 2Baba’s life, his attendance at the tribunal with Osawaru appears primarily political, given the importance of the case.
The ongoing legal battle is not just a contest between two political parties but a pivotal moment for the future of the Edo governorship and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. A ruling in favour of the PDP could lead to an annulment of the election results and trigger fresh elections, while a decision in favour of the APC would solidify Okpebholo’s victory, maintaining the status quo.
