Edolites Need Ize-Iyamu’s Optimistic Disposition In The Next Political Dispensation

It is not an exaggeration to say that since the electioneering campaign ahead of the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo State was flagged off by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that political observers and all Edolites have by each passing day been somewhat entertained by political players in the State through their utterances and bickering so much that such acts have set off social media firestorm. For instance, the Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Sunday, during the Channels Television Edo State Governorship Debate, reprimanded the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu over what the governor considered to be speculative answers from Ize-Iyamu to his questions.

In the governor’s post-debate note made available to journalists by Mr. Crusoe Osagie, his special adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, on Monday, Obaseki said: “The APC candidate doesn’t know how the economy works. You can’t plan an economy, or the Edo economy for that matter, on optimism and speculation. Governance requires much more than optimism. You must have time-tested solutions well laid out in a development plan, and that is prepared in advance. That is why managers or leaders must have development plans.

Without any scintilla of exaggeration the governor’s resort to talking down on Ize-Iyamu is reprehensible as it is not true that he does not understand how governance works. He has severally been in government and politics as buttressed through his political background which is publicly visible, and he is never a push over. Still in the same nexus, since the governor made the reprehensible comment not few political observers were unanimous in their views that optimism is needed in governance.

To many, it is expedient the governor brought up the issue of pessimism in his reaction to the debate. The reason cannot be farfetched as it appeared he was indirectly telling Edolites, “Look, I am always pessimistic, that is why I did not achieve much”. To me, I think, when Pastor Ize-Iyamu wins, by the grace of God, he would be optimistic enough in the implementations of his SIMPLE Agenda as choosing and voicing optimism is a powerful political action. Reiteratively put, it seems like a good time to me to comment on this interesting topic.

It would be recall at this juncture that President Donald Trump in State of the Union Address in February 2020 said, “We are advancing with unbridled optimism and lifting our citizens of every race, color, religion, and creed very, very high.”

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, once in his speech said, “At the best of times and the worst of times I’m always optimistic.”

“I think Australians can be optimistic. I’m certainly optimistic, it’s my natural disposition. But it’s important for Australians to be optimistic”
In the same vein, Indonesian ‪President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, also in a speech was noted to have said, ‬

“A leader should convey ‪optimism and encourage his or her people, even though there are many difficult challenges.” “There is no country on earth that prospers without optimism”‬

Still in the same vein, President Bill Clinton was also quoted to have said, “I am the ultimate optimist: I always see the glass as half full.” The same goes for Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister of Slovakia that said, “I’m a very optimistic person” while Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK, also once asserted in a speech thus; “I have always been deeply ‪optimistic about the potential of ‪technology to make the world a better place. If we get this right, future generations will look back on ‪climate change as a problem that we solved by determined global action and the prowess of technology.”‬‬‬

Without doubt, a dispassionate analysis of the foregoing speeches delivered at different political dispensations by world political leaders of note reveals that the common thread that runs across the fabric of the speeches is that of “Optimism” as a virtue. To those that want to play politics with invaluable virtue in leadership, they should not forget the words of Helen Keller that says, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Without doubt, optimism is at the very core of leadership. It is widely believed that leaders that have made developmental impact in various parts of the world are those that remain optimistic and ambitious for their constituents even in the face of great adversity. They are those whose optimism enables them to recognize the potential in others, and help them develop to be leaders themselves. Little wonder great leaders usually have an efficient and formidable team of executives and political appointees.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that Edo needs an optimistic governor that sees opportunity where others see uncertainty and despair.

When the economy is down like it is today and thousands of Edolites are out of work, the optimistic governor will think out of the box and provide solution with his team, unlike the pessimistic governor that will use those factors as excuses to explain away his inability to perform. The optimistic governor will not be paranoid that he will begin to see anybody and everybody as his enemies. Without doubt, he will refuse to let macro-economic trends impose hurdles on his imagination. Nothing will dissuade him from executing projects that will ultimately put people to work. As Winston Churchill once said, “optimists see opportunities in every difficulty.” Optimists have the successful mindset. No governor can perform in a difficult economic environment unless he cast off the negative emotions of fear, uncertainty, and worry.
In this context, it is germane to say that an optimistic governor, which Ize-Iyamu will by the grace of God become, come November 12, 2020, is inspiring communicator. Inspiration means, “to elicit a fervent enthusiasm.” You cannot elicit enthusiasm for an idea unless you’re a strong communicator. It’s no coincidence that Ronald Reagan, one of the most optimistic Americans the world ever knows, was designated “the great communicator.” Colin Powell served under Reagan and said that optimism was the secret behind Reagan’s charisma. In fact everyone who knew Reagan described him as an eternal optimist, someone who believed in a better future. As a Journalist, I have been working directly with good communicators. Without any iota of exaggeration, permit me to admit that each and every one of them is more optimistic than the average person.

Optimists rally people to a better future. Reagan had his share of skeptics, but his speeches brought out the best in people. They wanted to live in the world he painted with his words. Another optimist, Winston Churchill, also faced skeptics. In Churchill’s case, nearly the entire British population was skeptical about going to war with Nazi Germany. Churchill single-handedly turned around public opinion in World War II with a series of optimistic speeches, painting a picture of how Britain could turn back the Nazi tide washing over Europe. In a matter of weeks, the British attitude shifted from one of appeasement to one of certainty that they could fight and win.

Members of Churchill’s wartime Cabinet said his words and attitude made people feel braver in his presence.