By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo is gradually drawing close with the political gladiators in the different political parties jostling to secure the No. 1 seat in the State for their respective parties, devising strategies to outshine their opponents at the poll.
To this extent, all the parties participating in the Edo election in September have constituted their various campaign councils where-in formidable persons are assigned roles to drive the campaign project to fruition
Many politicians in the State have begun to sell their party's candidates to the electorate who have been yearning for good and better management of the state's resources, for support.
It's worth noting that party politics thrive on promissory notes and track records of performance either by the party sponsoring a candidate in an election or the candidate himself.
It is on this note that we examine the manifestoes of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024 election ASUE Ighodalo. A man with a robust record of outstanding performance in public life, enjoys the tacit support of men and women of substance who would want him bring that to bear in the governance of the State.
The ASUE Ighodalo manifestoes recently launched came as a letter addressed to the citizens of the state which gives every Edolite a personal sense of honour and recognition in the task of building the Edo of our dream thus!
"Dear Friends and Fellow Citizens, Welcome to our shared journey towards prosperity: I am Asue Ighodalo, your candidate for the Edo State gubernatorial seat. I reach out to you today, not just as a candidate, but as a committed partner eager to steer our beloved state towards unparalleled growth and success. My experiences as a lawyer, entrepreneur, banker, and most importantly, a believer in Edo’s potential, have led me to this moment. I have an unwavering belief in our collective ability to chart a prosperous course for our state - a "Pathway to Prosperity for All." Today, I ask you to join me in this vision".
What constitutes the shared vision of Edo if one may ask. It means the collective resolve to engender strategic mechanism for a prosperous and healthy citizenry without any form of discrimination. A prosperity that would produce a socially enlightened and responsible citizens that will make Edo the bastion of sustainable growth and development and ultimately make the state become the preferred destination in terms of achievement in the human development index, standards.
According to the manifestoes, "these time needs a leader who understands our situation and can serve as a catalyst for Edo State's unprecedented prosperity. My candidacy is rooted in a deep commitment to you all. As we embark on this journey together, I pledge to create an Edo State that is prosperous, inclusive, and just.
"Your insights are invaluable in this inclusive journey, where your concerns and hopes for our shared home are paramount. Together, we can and will manifest an Edo State poised for economic growth, united in its diversity, and abundance in opportunities for all. Thank you for being here. I am excited to forge a future side by side with you, a future that values our rich cultural heritage and aims to unleash our state’s boundless potential. This is our journey, our pathway to prosperity for all".
The manifestoes draw its strength from global sustainable development standards and practices, it focuses on ways to bring happiness to the greater number of Edo people with its slogan "Always for Edo" which touch on strategies to achieve an all round development for Edo people.
Divided into a five thematic pillars code named "Our Promise", which include wellbeing of all Edo People, Growing Our Economy, Good Governance, Security, Law & Order, Environmental Sustainability, the manifestoes represents what the State needs to break even in many spheres of life if faithfully implemented.
Wellbeing of all our people: Governance is about the well-being and development of every human society. Principally, the purpose of government is to protect its people and keep society safe. The government's role also includes keeping society organized. A government must be able to maintain order and stability and if it fails to do this, a society will fall into chaos and its people will suffer.
Here in Edo, the people can't afford to allow the governance of the State fall into wrong hands after the solid foundation already laid by the outgoing Godwin Obaseki's administration in the state.
Therefore, the people must do right by absorbing the details of the content of this manifesto and support it's actualization by first ensuring the success of Asue Ighodalo at the governorship election and also encourage the team after forming the government to faithfully implement the content of this blueprint.
Another key component of the manifesto is the aspect that seeks to ensuring the well-being, health and happiness of all Edo people by making available Hardship Relief, Good Jobs, Good Roads, Electricity, Affordable Healthcare services, Good and Quality Education, including the provision of Potable Water, as well as ensuring Women & Youth Empowerment. One could be tempted to say that the above constitute the basic responsibilities of government which successive administrations had failed to deliver on.
This is where the character of the candidate Asue and his running mate Osarodion Ogie comes in. The duo available records show have distinguished themselves in public administration. While Asue had sat on several boards of thriving business enterprises in Nigeria and beyond, Osarodion Ogie has proven his metle as a public servant who has used his position to touch the lives of many.
Growing the Economy: The document seeks also to leverage the state's competitive advantage to grow our economy and create wealth . Areas of focus include increasing the state's Agricultural Production, growing a Buoyant Creative Industry with emphasis on (Movies, Music, Arts).
Other areas of focus include engendering a production oriented economy that will produce quotum of Made-In-Edo products for local use and for exports.
Under this pillar, the state will not lose sight of its tourism industry as deliberate efforts will be geared towards attracting Visitors under its Culture & Tourism programmes.
The Benin moats built by our forefathers long before the advent of mechanical equipment, represents one of mankind's greatest earthworks, showcasing immense ingenuity and artistry.
Constructed without modern machinery, it reflects the hard work and advanced knowledge of our ancestors in engineering, organization, arts, culture, trade, and military strength. It's development and turning it into a money spinner will be the focus.
Mining is another vital area the incoming administration will prove to the world how rich Edo is as both local and foreign investors in that sector will be encouraged to build industries in the state with huge investments in public infrastructure that support business growth with accompanying job Creation.
Closely related to growing the economy is Good Governance, a governance model that promotes transparency and accountability in government which are central to the government's ability to deliver quality services for the good of the citizens.
The present administration in the state has prioritized workers welfare as are manifest in enhanced pay package, improved work environment, training and other capacity building perks, ASUE Ighodalo intends to continue in that direction due to his conviction that a well motivated workforce is at the core of sustainable growth and development in any given society.
The document typifies a burning desire to listening to the people and feel their pulse at all times through the adoption of the Fiscal Responsibility module of governance by being accountable as well as consolidating E-Governance thus promoting inclusive Government where no one is left out.
Security, Law and Order:
Ensuring the security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. Towards this end, the blueprint represents a determination to make law and order as the foundation of the state's prosperity by supporting the police to fight crime and adoption of technology in that regard. This will be done side by side with Community Engagement with the aim of Restoring Our Values to gain
Social Stability and Community Trust.
Under the Environmental Sustainability pillar of the manifestoes, it states that deliberate efforts shall be made to protecting our environment and our future. Growing sustainably, Erosion & Flooding Control, including reforestation and development of Green Spaces, renewable Energy etc, shall be the hallmarks in our avowed bid to protecting Our Future.
Post a Comment