Edo Governorship Polls: A historic opportunity for change of direction

Sovereignty in any democracy rests ultimately with the people and how they choose to exercise such powers is up to them and goes a long way in determining what kind of government they get. It is in this light that the popular refrain that says every nation deserves the kind of political leadership it gets certainly holds true, as it is the people who through their votes and political preferences will determine the direction and set what is of great importance to them in this election.

Consequently, it is up to the beloved people of Edo State to use this historic opportunity come September 21, 2024 to reset the political dynamics of Edo State and the Nigeria by firing a political salvo at the bowel of the beast represented by the corrupt political duopoly of PDP/APC in Edo State. The purpose of this write up is to joggle the consciousness of the people to remind them of their many travails and the opportunity this election presents to set Nigeria on the right path by rejecting business as usual and seeking a complete break with corruption while providing a guide to the people of this state popularly known as the “Heart Beat of the Nation” to send an unmistakable message through their votes that could help resuscitate the crumbling heart of this nation.

Edo State has had PDP and APC governments since the inception of the fourth republic and it has also had PDP/APC government when many along with the current governor decamped and sought second term under banner of PDP, but in all the people of the state have been taken for a ride with little or nothing to show for it. The People’s Democratic Party under former Gov. Igbinedion turned Edo State into a wasteland and his tenure was characterized by eight yes of corruption, financial malfeasance, abuse of office and fraud with no single developmental project in the state. The PDP government was so bad and disastrous that the mediocre government and pedestrian achievements of APC government under Oshiomole was heralded in the state as the dawn of a new era. It was this euphoria that enabled former Gov. Oshiomole to impose his then protege and current Gov. Obaseki on the state a decision he later tried to undo by denying him the APC ticket for reelection.

The cutthroat nature of politics in Nigeria, the nexus of corruption, godfatherism and lack of ethics amongst the political class meant that Gov. Obaseki was chased out of APC and had to seek reelection under PDP after he fell out with his mentor and former Gov. Oshiomole. The people of Edo State given some of the projects he has executed in his first term and hoping for an even better second term rallied behind Gov. Obaseki and pushed him across the finish line defeating his political godfather in the process.

However, to whom much is given, much more is expected and thus the people of Edo State expected so much more from Gov. Obaseki’s second term having invested so much to secure his reelection, but in return they got excuses, and memorandum of understanding (MOU). Gov. Obaseki recently said he has done his best and would now like to handover to his hand picked successor Asue Ighodalo for continuity. The people of Edo State agrees with the Governor that he did his best, but they also agree that given the situation of things today his best was not good enough and therefore continuity is not what is needed, but a new direction and change they can believe in.

The people of Edo State have suffered through over two decades of incompetence, corruption, state capture, lawlessness and general insecurity, not to mention today’s twin monsters of hyperinflation and hunger. The state has experienced PDP, APC and APC/PDP governments considering Gov. Obaseki’s switch from APC to PDP and there is still no evidence of effective and transformative governance that prioritizes the wellbeing of the people.

It is in light of this state of economic freefall and decay that it becomes critical that the people in exercise of their sacred obligation look to chart a new direction to free the state from the current economic quagmire, banditry, general insecurity, endemic corruption, crumbling network of roads and unleash economic revival that produces verifiable jobs for the people and substantially improve the state’s infrastructural development. This is essential as the alternative of voting for either of the corruption infested PDP/APC duopoly will deepen the existing political, economic and infrastructural rot and decay in the state that has come to epitomize the PDP led government in the state and the APC government before them.

As this election fast approaches, it is worth mentioning that the joblessness, poverty, insecurity, lawlessness and skyrocketing food prices in Edo is the handiwork of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All People’s Congress (APC), both political parties that have governed Edo State since the inception of the fourth republic in 1999. Consequently, I say to the people Edo State as you prepare to cast your votes, that if you are better of today than you were four years ago then you vote PDP and for Gov. Obaseki’s handpicked successor.

If you like the direction of Nigeria today then vote for APC candidate for governor. However, if you believe that things could be better today in Edo State and in Nigeria for you and your family and that corruption, insecurity and lawlessness must come to an end, and you want jobs for your family and for inflation to come down, then you must reject PDP and APC come September 21, 2024. This is your last chance to change the fortunes of your state and your family and you cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

May God Bless Edo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Nosa Osaikhuiwu is an advocate for Culture Change in Nigeria