Resolving To Give Igbinedion LP Gubernatorial Ticket Is As Good As Voting For A Better Edo -By Isaac Asabor

It is not an exaggeration to say that it has become traditional for Edolites, from one political dispensation to the other, since Nigeria transited from military rule to civil rule, to resolutely look forward to a gubernatorial election that will usher in a good governor that would demonstrate a high sense of leadership. In their expectations, people tend to be optimistic of seeing a leader that is people-oriented, and readily committed to serve but the emergence of such a leader is usually beyond the people as the opportunity of flying a party ticket typically lies within the party which a gubernatorial aspirant is affiliated to in the spirit of internal democracy.

For the sake of clarity, candidate selection within any given party is the process by which members decide who will be on the ballot paper as their recommended candidate. The way in which they make that choice is mainly determined by their own internal rules and procedures. In a similar vein, nomination is the legal process by which election authorities screen the candidates recommended by the party, approve their candidacy, and print their names on the ballot paper.

Being a legal luminary of repute, Barrister Dele Igbinedion, who seeks the Labour Party (LP) Gubernatorial ticket ahead of the gubernatorial election in Edo State come 2024, has urged his followers and supporters alike, particularly his friends and leaders to be steadfast as by God’s grace, he will clinch the ticket.

He stated in one of his campaign moves, “I can report that we have been making great progress in our quest to get the ticket of the Labour Party. In the past week, we advanced our position strategically and strongly. We give thanks to God for his help.

“All the successes that we have recorded so far were due to God and you. We give you thanks for your support, advice, input, and endorsement. Some of you have contributed time, money, energy, shared contacts, etc., to ensure that we are where we are today. Thank you very much.

“Please keep up the great work. It is not yet uhuru, so more serious work is still required, but we will surely achieve our objective of securing the Labour party ticket.

“Please do not be alarmed when you hear that this or that person has joined the labour party to seek the Governorship ticket. For many are called, but only we will be chosen, to fulfill scripture and gladden the heart of Edo people.

“Let us focus on our plans and programmes, which have been expertly designed to help us achieve success in our project.

“By the grace of God, none of the current or incoming aspirants can compare with us in terms of our programmes for Edo people, our being based in Edo State (not diaspora politicians), our political experience, our track record of service to Edo people, etc”

In a similar vein, Igbinedion has urged his supporters to keep up the good work of working for him and the party ahead of the election come next year, 2024.
At this juncture, it is expedient to say that ahead of a gubernatorial election such as been expected, it is traditional for people to resolve to vote for the best aspirant or candidate, unfortunately, these resolutions are more often honored in their breach than their fulfillment, but they are nonetheless a useful tool that could have being used to elect the best candidate among the lots.

That notwithstanding, and so, as a state among the 36 states that made up Nigeria, it is incumbent on all Edolites to plod forward with hope for improvement, as we now have another opportunity in Barrister Dele Igbinedion to elect a people-oriented governor with developmental-mindset.
To the view of this writer, here is a brief roadmap of how things could get better if we just face the truth about Igbinedion without pandering to sentiments which other aspirants are exhibiting as if leading a state is a turn-by-turn affair. In fact, it is too simplistic for anyone to think that the affairs of Edo, particularly its economy, should be managed on the basis of turn-by-turn.

Given his love for Edo State which he has always shown without airs at any given opportunity, it is expedient for Edolites to root for Igbinedion’s victory at both the primary and at the polling booths as he has what it takes to govern the state in the next political dispensation. Did I hear you ask what he has in stock for Edo State when he becomes the governor? The answer to your question cannot be farfetched as he has reiteratively promised to make Edo work for all, particularly as he is poised to construct roads and flyovers to ease linkages to communities for the sake of ease of doing business, provides qualitative and affordable education as well as provide accessible and affordable health facilities for all Edolites, and welfare package for children in the State.

Not only has he made the foregoing promises and demonstrated high sense of service to the people through his humanitarian involvements over the years, Igbinedion looks forward to a government he has tagged “Small government, big Edo people”, and has in that vein promised to run the government at a reduced cost.
Besides, he has one thing clear, and that is that there is no South, East or West agenda in Edo 2024, but only how “Edo can work for all”.

Let us give Igbinedion the victory he deserves to restore law and order in Edo State. You can either start at the top or the bottom. First, let us recognize that our communities have not been safe, particularly as our laws have over the years favor criminals over victims, and that the justice system has been perverted by undemocratic political leaders that have been holding Edo State in the jugular. It is high time we elect a governor that has the capacity and moral rectitude to cage looters and killers. In fact, Igbinedion has what it takes to make prosecutors act in line with the spirit of the law. And as for corruption at the top, he has what it takes to clean up every institutions of Justice.

With Igbinedion Edo can have a Governor that would not be advised by his aides to demolish critical institutions in the state to pave way for projects of less importance as done by the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who demolished the expansive Benin City Central Hospital complex and turned it into a museum. Igbinedion, as a leader and legal luminary has the discretion to compares projects in terms of utility and value to Edo people.

In his reaction to the foregoing, Igbinedion once wondered, “This is utterly preposterous to me. I cannot understand the rationale behind the decision. It is so unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki. I appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki to reverse the decision. No museum can take the place of a functional hospital for Edo people.

“But if the Central Hospital is not immediately rebuilt, I have decided that it will be a priority project come 2024. Within 100 days in office of a labour party government in Edo State, the Central Hospital, Benin City, will be reconstructed and commissioned”.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that having seen the sterling leadership qualities which he possesses that it will be expedient to urge fellow Edolites; both at home and abroad to resolve to give Igbinedion the Labour Party Gubernatorial Ticket which he aspires to get, and then vote for him in the much expected gubernatorial election as doing that would translate to voting for a better Edo State.