Is anything wrong with continuity? I mean building on an already established foundation. What about consolidation? Or you don’t think it is important we advocate and vote for continuity for consolidation of all the projects, policies and achievements under Governor Godwin Obaseki and bringing onboard someone who shares in the noble vision of the outgoing administration?
I recall in 2016, when the outgoing administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole introduced Mr. Godwin Obaseki to us, we did not only buy into it, we voted for him massively and today, we are not asking for anything different. We are simply requesting that we should not allow policy summersault or policy reversals and distabilsation of the gains we have achieved over time. This is the case we are making for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, rather than allowing a stranger that is already threatening to reduce Shoprite to “shop-dead” into governance. You can see the danger!
At a critical time like this, our state, few days from now, would be engaging in a critical exercise. Although democracy is not all about elections but you can’t run a democratic system without elections, and that’s what we are trying to do – appealing to you that come September 21st, we should vote for continuity of the good things achieved under this present administration for the purpose of consolidation.
For me, Asue is not the issue. Edo state, our dear state, is the issue at stake now and any party that cannot supply the required credentials and quality needed – especially those needed in these days of hopeless recessions and economic downturns. The gift of an Asuelime Ighodalo is a quality-assured.
We’ve had the opportunity to appraise and look at how the incumbent government has performed in the last seven and half years. It has enabled us to point out what he has done and the ones yet to be done. If anybody wants to be realistic, no single government can totally meet all the needs of its people in 8 years. The critical question is whether the foundation has been laid, whether there is genuine commitment, whether there are tangible and intangible results to show, whether that leader is really for the people and if he’s delivering and has delivered the dividends of democracy.
Whether we like it or not, all we are saying historically is that if we look at where we are coming from as a state and look at our expectations as a nation, the last seven years plus has shown in terms of vision, in terms of meeting the expectation of the people, in terms of accountability, in terms of relating with persons that the government of Godwin Obaseki has excelled depending on our prisms. He may not have met all the needs of the people but within the available resources at his disposal, I think he deserves a clear pass mark.
One good thing that has happened about our state which many of us are not appreciating, is that Edo State has join the league of Lagos state as foremost states in Nigeria that other states now like to emulate in several policy choices.
My take now on the issue of continuity, is that elders and opinion leaders of our state having dispassionately considered the achievements of Obaseki and looked around for a viable candidate needed for continuity, have endorsed a person that has the enormous capacity to deliver. In Asue, it was found the capability and the wherewithal to build on what has already been established. Therefore, I believe, to consolidate is the right thing to do; there must be continuity in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people, there must be continuity to achieve a new vision in terms of how to get our youths employed. There must be continuity in bringing about economic development, there must be continuity in upscaling our security architecture, there must be continuity in trying to deal with the scarcity of funds among others.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has done well. He wasn’t elected to solve all the problems in the state under 8 years of two tenures. Edo state citizens now understand that it is important that whoever is going to take over from him should be a man who is forthcoming and prudent – the reason I stand on continuity.
Edo State people would not make any mistake. They understand what it means to stand for continuity. First, because a man that has done well should be appreciated; one way, Edo citizens can show appreciation for the good works the Governor has been doing in the last seven and half years is to vote for continuity so that all his good works will be consolidated and not endangered.
Secondly, we need to vote for continuity so that others will have reasons to do very well; in showing appreciation, leaders have no choice but to reciprocate with better achievements. The entire world is currently facing economic crisis, the Nigerian economy is not immune including the state governments – they are not also immune. This is the time we need individuals and men that can stand up; that understand the economy and to be able to move whatever segment of the society that he is saddled to lead. I am convinced that continuity is the way out.
I know many of us know all the good works Obaseki has been doing in the state but for political difference, we tend to blind our eyes to them. Remember, Obaseki is not on the ballot. Remember, our state is the issue here and that this is about our collective future.