The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has unveiled his strategic vision and insights on driving sustainable development and progress in the state.

According to the governorship candidate, he’s stepping into the political foray to convert his great ideas into transformative action for the people of Edo.

He stated this in Lagos at a fund-raising dinner organised by Corporate Nigeria for Asue Ighodalo (AI), comprising investment bankers, investment financiers, infrastructure financiers, capital market dealers, legal practitioners, and private sector leaders within and outside Edo.

Presenting his plans for the state themed ‘Pathway to Prosperity for All’, Ighodalo disclosed his desire to consolidate Governor Godwin Obaseki’s transformative policies in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other key sectors of the economy.

He cited an instance of Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation program, codenamed EdoBEST, which revamped the educational sector, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, saying the initiative has resulted in Edo consistently ranking second and third places when it comes to basic education in Nigeria.

He noted that the health sector under the present administration is receiving significant boosts, with fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres, reconstruction, and accreditation of Edo School of Nursing, Science, and Midwifery, telemedicine partnerships with the Diaspora, and the launch of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.

He pointed out that nearly eight years of the Obaseki administration in Edo have recorded significant milestones in agriculture, the economy, civil service, the Edo Master Plan, and contributions to the people’s welfare.

Noting that the potential of Edo has not been fully tapped, Ighodalo promised to solidify these initiatives and advance the state into immeasurable prosperity.

“Given the enormous social and macro-economic challenges we face in Nigeria today, we cannot afford to gamble with our collective future and the destiny of our children by electing leadership that is incapable of addressing key developmental challenges with competence and vision,” he said.

Ighodalo provided a detailed plan of action to achieve a prosperous future that honours the state’s rich heritage and actualizes its full potential.

He said the Ighodalo prosperity agenda would focus on security, law and order as a foundation for prosperity through police support, use of technology, and value restoration.

He promised that his administration would also focus on good governance through transparency and accountability in public finances and protection of the environment.

For the gubernatorial hopeful, the achievement of full state and local government policing, provision of food banks, promotion of made-in-Edo products, boosting Internally Generated Revenue, and ensuring a clean and healthy environment, among others, will define his tenure as Edo governor.

He promised to support the elderly, women’s rights, youths and students, children, traditional rulers, civil servants, farmers, teachers, and other stakeholders of the state.

In his opening speech, the Group Chief Executive Officer of EverCorp Industries, Eric Idiahi, described Corporate Nigeria for AI as comprising forward-thinking leaders who understand the critical role Corporate Nigeria should play in addressing the challenges of the nation.

According to him, the future of Edo and Nigeria depends on leadership that not only recognizes but actively engages with the private sector as a partner in progress.

“Our businesses are more than just economic engines. They are essential to solving the complex problems we face, fostering sustainable development, creating jobs, and driving innovation,” Idiahi said. “What unites the members of the group is the belief in Ighodalo’s leadership and understanding that good governance in any part of Nigeria has a ripple effect on the entire nation. Ighodalo is not just another candidate but a leader who embodies integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to public service.

“With decades of experience in law, finance, the boardroom, and public service, Ighodalo has demonstrated a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Edo. But more than his impressive resume, his passion for people is evident in every aspect of his life and work. He will continue from where Obaseki stopped and take it further.”

On his part, Governor Obaseki thanked Corporate Nigeria for AI for coming out to support the campaign.

He said, “This is to thank you very much for coming out tonight to support your own. Ighodalo will be a good governor. You know he will perform as a governor because he not only has experience in terms of governance and building businesses but has been part of the Edo project from the beginning since 2006. So, he understands where we have been and how we got to where we are today.”

The governor appealed to the participants to help raise funds required to support the Ighodalo campaign. He said funds would be required to cover election logistics and ensure that party agents were mobilised to do their work effectively on election day.

Ighodalo thanked the group for its support and kind gesture, urging them to support his campaign with funds.

He said although he contributed significantly to the growth of the private sector, winning the Edo gubernatorial election would give him a greater opportunity to impact over 5.2m lives.

He encouraged private sector operators to come up for elections or support capable hands to help steer the ship of governance across different levels of governance to greatness.

The gubernatorial hopeful said, “Our country is not going anywhere if we sit on the fence. We need to find the courage and funds to step in and drive governance.

“Governor Obaseki has laid a good foundation in Edo, attracting $5.2bn to the state. It will be sad to allow someone that will take the state 50 years back to succeed him. I need your financial support to stop that from happening and to sustain the great works done by the present administration in Edo.”