Between Odubu And Ize-Iyamu: Edo Deserves The Best -By Isaac Asabor

As only two candidates in the persons of Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu are left to contest the Edo All Progressives Congress’ (APC) primary election scheduled to hold on June 22, 2020, precisely few days away from now, ahead of the general election fixed for September 19, 2020 in the State, there is no denying the fact that the political equation is balancing to Odubu.

It would be recalled that before now that there were seven governorship aspirants of the party who earlier signified their interest to contest; namely, former deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, Prof. Ebegue Amadasun, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.), Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, Saturday Uwuilekhue, and Solomon Edebiri, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Osaro Obazee. As it is now, it is no more news that some have thrown in the towels while some have being screened out from the race.

Given the prevailing political equation ahead of the primary, it seems like the two candidates would be in for an epic battle, and it is in the same vein not derogatory in any sense to say that Edo State has arguably remained the hotbed of politicking of sort as the extant reality speaks for itself. Since the return of democracy in 1999, there is no denying the fact that good governance has not been well demonstrated to the admiration of the people as it has been driven over the years by seeming incompetent leaders in government.

Without asking for too much, Edolites deserve more of good governance which can be secured by continuity in leadership without interruption of any kind. This is the only way Edolites can enjoy steady growth and development in the growing economy.
The foregoing is the reason the upcoming governorship race in Edo State is worth every attention and discourse because it matters who becomes the Governor of the State.

Edolites presently have different options of voting for the best candidates in the 2020 election market come September 19, but what is important is that they elect a candidate that is grounded with the Edo State developmental plan to ensure that the growth and development strives of previous government are not interrupted.

This is why kingmakers in Edo APC should dispassionately consider the profile and track records of the contestants as Edo deserves the best from APC as a party before the general elections.

As an Edolite that is entitled to his opinion by virtue of Section 39 of the 1999 constitution that gave this writer the freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and to import ideas and information without interference, it suffices to say in this context that he has the inalienable rights to make commendable comments about his preferred candidate; Dr. Odubu.
Simply put, Odubu has the virtues that are needed to be a governor in Edo State. As I emphasized in previous articles published on various media platforms, he is not a political turncoat. According to Wikipedia, “A turncoat is a person who shifts allegiance from one loyalty or ideal to another, betraying or deserting an original cause by switching to the opposing side or party”. However, the online encyclopedia explains that in political and social history that turncoat is distinct from being a traitor, as the switch mostly takes place under certain circumstances, and expatiates that it is often driven by one or more leaders in groups.

Being spurred from the foregoing descriptions of who a party man or a turn coat politician is, not few readers of this piece would expect this writer to buttress the fact that the political phrases fittingly described Odubu, and that he is by the portrayal a Party Man extraordinaire.

Without shillyshallying on the question that borders on the propriety of seeing Odubu from the perspective he is being seen in this context, it is expedient to say that he has remained a foundation member of his party right from when it was known as Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) to when it became Action Congress (AC), and then to Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and now Action People’s Congress (APC). Not only that, there is no denying the fact that he has had enough reasons in the past political dispensation in the State to leave the party but he never did.

For the sake of clarity, permit me at this juncture to cite what Samuel told his people in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 12 verse 3 where he challenged them to fault his integrity. In the scripture, Samuel said, “Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

Without sounding panegyric, Odubu is a politician, among very few in the country, that has the same integrity that Samuel exuded by challenging the people to fault him.

Again, there is no denying the fact that the concept of continuity of people-friendly public policies in governance is well known to every Edolite that has a progressive mindset. Indeed, it is a concept that is widely encouraged and recommended especially in a growing democracy like Nigeria in which Edo State belongs to. To me, it is only Odubu among the contestants that fits into the capability of continuing from where good governance stopped in Edo State. To summarily buttress the foregoing view, Odubu has no issue with the EFCC.

Not only does the fact that he is not running from pillar to post in the bid to outsmart EFCC officials, his academic and professional credentials are not questionable even as they are intimidating. At this juncture, it is expedient to say that not only are Odubu’s credentials unmatched, he has put them into use as an Economist and Political Scientist in the cause of serving the people at various political dispensations. It would be recalled that after his secondary education at the Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, Nigeria, which was excitedly called ICC in those days, he left the country to Southern University, Baton, USA, where he bagged a first degree in Political Science, before obtaining a Master’s Degree in Economics and related fields from the prestigious Oxford University, UK. Without any scintilla of exaggeration, he towers above his peers in this regard. To this end, it suffices to say that Edo deserves the best come the next political dispensation in the person of Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu.