Voting For Ize-Iyamu Is As Good As Giving Edo The Best It Deserves -By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that fourteen aspirants were registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the gubernatorial election that is scheduled to hold in Edo State on September 19, 2020. The number no doubt has become inconsequential as several of them who are affiliated to smaller parties have already collapsed their candidacies into coalitions.

Be that as it may, there are only two leading contenders in the much expected election; the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who ironically flew the PDP’s gubernatorial ticket in 2016 against Obaseki who in the same ironical context flew the flag of the APC in 2016.

As the only two candidates that have undeniably dominated the electioneering space like colossuses in the State since the last few months to contest the election, precisely few days away from now, there is no denying the fact that the political equation is balancing to Ize-Iyamu.

Given the prevailing political equation ahead of the election, 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 in the next political dispensation. The foregoing view is predicated on the fact that one of the candidates has been tested or rather been on trial for close to 4 years, and it is not demeaning to his personality to say that Edolites have somewhat seen the best he can offer, and it is better they try another leader in the next political dispensation since the State is in search of ideal leadership which the incumbent government is yet to offer. Close to the foregoing view is that leaving the State again in the hands of those whose collective strength has being tried, and assessed to unsatisfactory, it may be foolhardy for us to repeat the same mistake again. After all, there is a saying by Laozi that “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

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. The plan, no doubt, has been encapsulated by Osagie-Iyamu in his SIMPLE Agenda Manifesto.

This is why voters in Edo should dispassionately have the campaign messages at the back of their minds, particularly on September 19. Without resort to being biased, Ize-Iyamu has for the umpteenth time been telling Edolites how he would run the State as the governor when he wins by the grace of God, unlike messages from candidates in other parties that has more often than not been distorted by communication noise in the form of abuses and name calling.

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; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Simply put, Ize-Iyamu 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 pushover that can be undermined by anyone ostensibly as result of the underserved public perception being thrust upon him in the course of campaign of calumny carried out against him in the past.

As described by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Prince Blessing Edigin, “Some of the things I like about Ize-Iyamu, who hails from Edo South Senatorial District, and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, from Edo North Senatorial District, are that they do not speak carelessly, but they are strategists and thinkers, who listen to other people’s views, pieces of advice and opinions. They are not rigid politicians and they know what to do to ensure good governance in Edo state from November12 this year. Ize-Iyamu will defeat Obaseki with a landslide on September 19”.

Being spurred from how well Edolites; both at home and in diaspora have been speaking well of him, and been considered to be a “grassrooter”, not few readers of this piece would expect this writer to buttress the fact that the politician cum pastor deserves the vote of Edolites come September 19, 2020, as he has been ticked by many to be a leader extraordinaire that should be voted for. This is as Edo State deserves the best in the next political dispensation.

Without doubt, Ize-Iyamu has for the umpteenth time in his electioneering campaign assured Edolites that his clarity of purpose and hunger for service will transform the decaying neglected infrastructure across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.

At this juncture, you may have asked, why would anyone think Ize-Iyamu should be voted for come September 19, 2020? The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as his bold footprints in partisan politics and public office in Edo State has been phenomenal in scope and depth, and even with unequalled and unprecedented intensity. He is a calm and deep-thinking political architect whose courageous designs inspire the hope for good governance and democratic freedom.

Today, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is widely respected, acknowledged, and referred to as the “Leader” by both the elderly and the young. This is in recognition of his uncommon courage, wisdom, integrity and commitment to the advancement of the common good.

For his intellectual and tactical abilities, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has been entrusted with critical positions in party politics. He has been Vice Chairman, South South, ACN, DG, Governor Adams Oshiomhole Re-election Campaign Organization and Member, APC Constitution Drafting Committee. In all these assignments, he has discharged his responsibilities excellently.