The Edo State political landscape has changed drastically from the way it used to be especially in this political era to a more refined and sophisticated one.
In the 2016 governorship election in the state, we saw where the incumbent govern took the hands of his would-be successor round the the length and breadth of the state, mounting the podiums, marketing the governorship candidate to the citizens of the state.
In 2020, the story never changed. It was the same rhetorics.
One of the common feature is that, the political parties involved are in to sell their candidates in the best possible way.
At times, the way the incumbent governors do it, almost make the governorship candidates look as if they can’t speak for themselves.
But the tide has changed with the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, coming on board.
He has redefined the political campaigns in the state.
One of the salient qualities that has attracted him to the people is, his ability to speak to his audience.
Asue Ighodalo has proven that he is not going to be a puppet but a governor who will be able to take decision that will benefit the generality of the people of the state.
He has shown himself to the people and he has told them his purpose and intention which is to make life better for them through is well thought-out manifesto christine “The Pathway to Prosperity for All”.
In one of his fora where he had an interaction with the people of Oredo at the Urhokpota Hall, the governorship candidate reiterated his plans for the people of the state.
The incumbent governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki was not there to speak for him. He spoke to the people by himself. He did not only speak to the people but spoke to issues as they affected everyone in the state.
Ighodalo acknowledged the present suffering in the country which was caused by high inflation which has resulted in high cost of living that has almost spiraled out of control.
He stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki has laid down a good foundation which he promised to build upon and take the state to the next level.
On security, Ighodalo promised to make the Security Trust Fund in the state work better to take care of security matters. He emphasised that security is very key in that without it every other thing may not work well.
“We will get it right to protect the people in the area of work, farm, trade and travelling”. We will also make use of the latest technology and equipment to prevent invaders into the state”.
On the well being of the people, Ighodalo promised to reduce suffering and hardship among the people in the state and make life better for them, adding that it is government’s duty to make the people live a better life with the available resources.
On education, he said government will encourage every child to go to school and those doing well will be supported with bursary awards.
” We will train our people in various skills so that when government established industries we will have suitable people to fill all the positions available”.
Continuing, Ighodalo promised to make health care affordable to all the people through health care insurance scheme to cater for the aged, mid age people and children.
On economic growth, he promised to create enough jobs to lift people out of poverty into prosperity.
On the aspect of infrastructure, he promised to construct 2,000 kilometers of roads across the three Senatorial districts of the state in his first tenure in office
On agro industrial sector, he said all the needed support through equipment will be made available and ensure all the Senatorial districts are given equal development .
On good governance, Ighodalo said, ” we must regularly meet with the people through town hall meetings. We will also support all the local government councils in the state in order to assist them to bring development to the grassroots”.
“Our environment must be made clean in order to drastically reduced flooding, erosion and other issues that may affect the environment.
” We will ensure our environment is clean and everyone must join hands together with the government to make the streets of Edo clean.”
He also assured that he would do all he can to reduce the cost of governance”.
The people of Edo State are now fully convinced that the state must continue to make progress, they are now persuaded that the state must elect a man that can speak truth to power at any given point in time and one who will not hide under the shadow of anybody to govern the state. And the person is Asue Ighodalo.