There are many angles to the discourse on the next governor of Edo state. Many people are interested in the debate because of the lacklustre performance of the outgoing governor Godwin Obaseki. The two frontline contenders; APC’s Monday Okpebholo and PDP’s Asuelimen Ighodalo, are both kinsmen from Edo central, favoured by the principle of zoning.
Nobody wants to invest in another tedious and colourless tenure that may ramp up to 8 years given the Nigerian standard of politics. So, the people are cautious, interested and yearning for practical governance.
In 2020, Governor Obaseki gained accolades for launching “no to godfatherism” and by 2024, his story has changed. Today, he wants to be the godfather as he imposes his candidate, Asue Ighodalo (PDP), whose fate is still hanging with the Supreme Court, as governor of the state. Fears are high that if Asue Ighodalo wins governorship, he will spend another chunk of taxpayers’ money to service or fight his godfather because it is the trend in Edo state and nationwide.
There are those who also argue that because of his below-the-belt performance as governor, Obaseki does not possess any moral right to choose his successor for the state. Like some governors across the country, Obaseki picked Asue to cover his tracks and build a new political empire for himself after fighting preaching and fighting the same trend.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, by his emergence as governorship candidate, shows that he is not a product of any Godfather and will not be accountable to anyone other than the people. For those who talk about track records, Okpebholo has been captain of industry for over two decades, growing relatively unknown twin companies; Chapman computers limited and Interweb Satcom. The former as computer manufacturing company while the later became a frontline broadband firm in Africa.
Okpebholo is the brain behind the Africa-to-Africa internet broadband connectivity, a specialized gateway solution for Internet Access in Africa. Often times, people also say Okpebholo does not talk. How did he grow a company to such an enviable position? How did he manage his teeming staff from diverse backgrounds, including Europeans, Asians, and other African nations? He may not be given to many talks, but he has outlined his target as governor of Edo state.
Okpebholo says he will make Edo state a thriving tourism destination, building on his relationship with the traditional institution, especially the Benin monarch. In a recent discussion, he told everybody that the biggest gift to Edo state and Nigeria was not the oil but tourism potentials.
Therefore, his five point agenda is tailored towards achieving a booming tourism and free enterprise for the state. The Great China Walls have overtaken the Benin moat in terms of size because the great heritage has been unprotected and decimated massively in the past 8 years, implying the zero understanding by the Governor Obaseki’s administration.
The Great Walls of China attracts over 10 million visitors annually to China. So just imagine what the Benin moat will attract to the state. Other tourism sites include the track road used by Europeans in 1897 when they invaded the kingdom and the Oba palace. The working relationship between the Oba palace and the APC governorship candidate will help to drive this agenda.
On the issues of Asue Ighodalo not in touch with the indigenes of Edo state, it is arguable correct when you understand how a man at 64 does not speak his Esan language and could not relate to his people in the past 8 years that he has been fixated in Dennis Osadebey Government House, Benin city.
There are those who have argued that because Okpebholo was in frequent touch with his people and speaks their language, he was able to connect with them and understood their needs. He intervened in the security of Edo central, donated schools and scholarships, and constructed boreholes to many communities, among others.
For now, Asue Ighodalo’s coming home with an interpreter was just too dramatic for a would-be governor. Prominent socialite and journalist, Dele Momodu rested the issue when he said he would have contested for the governorship of Edo state but because he does not speak his native language, he opted to try Presidency.
He stated this on national television and this has become the best advice for Asue Ighodalo and Edo people.
Many Esan sons like Asue Ighodalo have always avoided coming close to their indigenous natives because of their perceived fear of the witches and wizards, which they have rubbed their people with.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole reiterated this when he said that Asue Ighodalo has avoided his Esan people because he believes people in the villages were witches and wizards.
You can not eat your cakes and have it, Asue Ighodalo cannot avoid Esan people for 64 years and now seek their votes to be governor.
That is the character of the political rhythm in Edo state ahead of 21st September 2024. The choice is there for you.
