By Ehichioya Steve Odion
It was an impressive outing once again for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Ndidi Ofure Key at the most awaited and publicized debate jointly organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, the Broadcasting of Nigeria, BON, and the Nigeria Elections Debate Group, NEDG, broadcast by major television stations and radio stations in Nigeria.
Although the debate which was slightly altered due to what the organizers described as disrespect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Senator Monday Okpebholo for failing to turn up at the debate held at the Edo NUJ Secretariat, Benin City.
Ndidi Ofure the only female candidate in this Edo governorship election condemned the attitude of the two parties and asked the media to stop giving them unnecessary publicity which she said they do not deserve. She added that the PDP and APC have been telling the people lies and manipulating them over the years which has resulted in hardship, suffering and underdevelopment in the state.
She said leadership is about the people, compassion and not about holding positions which the politicians have used in dehumanizing other Nigerians whom they impoverished and subjected to abject poverty.
She described the situation as very painful, adding that a situation where Nigerians have to protest due to the hunger in the land was evil and a confirmation of government's insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.
"It is shameful to continue to give them the respect they do not deserve. As former Chairman of Nigerians in the Diaspora in US who has worked with the Nigeria government under the regime of President Mohammad Buhari on how to improve on our health care, education and other areas that will help the country to grow, she has got what it takes to lift the people of Edo out of the present socio economic woes.
She sent a warning message to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to think of manipulating the Edo election in favour of any political party, as that will be a de-service to Nigeria and the international community.
Ndidi called on the people in the Diaspora to stop supporting those politicians coming to them to tell them all sort of lies in order to get their support for election . She said, "right now the Diaspora community are angry because the politicians have taken them for granted and with so much disrespect.
"Edo people must wake up to do the needful. Let us continue to condemn the bad attitude exhibited by these two so called major political parties, the PDP and APC today. Where their candidates, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and Senator Monday Okpebholo disrespected Edo people by ignoring them. What that means is that in their thinking, the people do not really matter. Participating in the debate is a platform they would have make the people hear from them and make informed choices".
She further said that what we see in Nigeria is retrogression, backwardness, adding that it will only take a visionary leader to know what the people feel and need. She therefore, called on the Edo people to embrace her political party, the PRP, which she said has what it will take to redeem Edo and Nigeria at large and set it on the path of prosperity.
"Edo needs redemption and transformation. You have the power to do it which is your PVC. The ruling parties do not care for your future. The politicians move their children abroad for better life. But they refuse to develop their country due to greed and avarice. I came here because of the love I have for my people. Let's make a change and vote for PRP which is the key to prosperity".
Ndidi recalled that the only period the people in the state experienced development was during the reign of Brigadier Osaigbobo Ogbemudia and Prof. Ambrose Alli of blessed memories who served the people with sincerity of purpose.
Other candidates present at the event were the Labour Party, LP candidate, Olumide Akpata SAN, and that of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Derek Izedonmwen.
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