The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in next Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has declared that godfatherism does not have a place in the state’s politics, stressing that Edo voters should elect a governor that will work for them independently.
This was as some followers of the PDP candidate warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other selfish politicians to stay away from Edo or contend with their fury.
The governorship contender spoke when he was hosted to a fund-raising dinner by friends under the aegis of Corporate Nigeria for AI, comprising investment bankers, investment financiers, infrastructure financiers, capital market dealers, legal practitioners and private sector leaders, at the weekend, in Lagos.
The PDP flagbearer urged prospective voters going to the polls on Saturday to x-ray the strategic visions and programme outlines of all the candidates and remember the tough battle they waged to defeat godfathers and godfatherism in the state four years ago.
While clarifying his ‘Pathway to Prosperity for All’, the corporate lawyer said Edo had come too far that it should no longer be bogged by the activities of political jobbers and godfathers.
“From day one, I will get down to work as governor of all Edolites,” he assured
According to him, sustainable development and progress of the state remain the major thrust of his aspiration, noting that he is stepping into the political foray to convert his great ideas into transformative action for Edo people.
At the dinner attended by Governor Godwin Obaseki, the PDP flagbearer declared, “As governor, my capacity, global network and proven track record will be at play as we unlock the people’s rich potential and transform latent talents into valuable assets.
“Despite Edo’s rich heritage, the state has faced numerous challenges throughout its history. But with the advent of democracy, efforts to restore its glory have been incremental. This informs my desire to consolidate on Governor Obaseki’s transformative policies in education, healthcare, agriculture and other key sectors of the economy.
“For instance, Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation programme, codenamed EdoBEST, which revamped the educational sector, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, resulted in Edo consistently ranking second and third when it comes to basic education in Nigeria. The health sector under Obaseki is getting significant boost, with fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres, reconstruction and accreditation of Edo School of Nursing, Science and Midwifery, telemedicine partnerships with the Diaspora, and the launch of Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.”
Ighodalo noted that for nearly eight years, the Obaseki administration recorded significant milestones in agriculture, economy, civil service and Edo Master Plan as well as contributions to the people’s welfare.
He stated, “The Alaghodaro Summit was created to enable stakeholders dialogue problems facing the state and boost economic prosperity for the people. Without the great works of the Obaseki era, the potential of Edo has not been fully tapped.”
Promising to solidify these initiatives and advance the state into immeasurable prosperity, he stressed, “Given the enormous social and macro-economic challenges we face in Nigeria today, we cannot afford to gamble with our collective future and the destiny of our children by electing leaders that are incapable of addressing key developmental challenges with competence and vision.”
On why the interference of godfathers is not welcome, Ighodalo said the state needed a dependable leader that would be answerable to the people on his policy choices, programme conception and implementation.
He said his detailed plan of action to achieve a prosperous future that honours the state’s rich heritage and actualises its full potential would be the criteria for public evaluation of his governorship.
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“The incoming administration would also focus on good governance through transparency and accountability in public finances and protection of the environment. The achievement of full state and local council policing, provision of food banks, promotion of made-in-Edo products, boosting of Internally Generated Revenue and ensuring clean and healthy environment, among others, will define my tenure as Edo governor,” he added.
The governorship hopeful promised to support the elderly, women’s rights, youths and students, children, traditional rulers, civil servants, farmers, teachers and other stakeholders of the state.
Before now, the gubernatorial candidate had always supported Edo communities through the provision of social amenities like power, road construction, scholarships, medical outreaches, as well as support for widows and the less-privileged in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group Chief Executive Officer, EverCorp Industries, Eric Idiahi, described Corporate Nigeria for AI as comprising, forward-thinking leaders who understand the critical role Corporate Nigeria should play in addressing the challenges of the nation.
Idiahi said the future of Edo and Nigeria “depends on leadership that not only recognises but actively engages with the private sector” as a partner in progress.
“Our businesses are more than just economic engines. They are essential to solving the complex problems we face from fostering sustainable development, creating jobs and driving innovation,” Idiahi said. “What unites the members of the group is the belief in Ighodalo’s leadership and understanding that good governance in any part of Nigeria has a ripple effect on the whole country. Ighodalo is not just another candidate, but a leader who embodies integrity, humility and a deep commitment to public service.
“With decades of experience in law, finance, boardroom and public service, Obaseki has demonstrated a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of Edo. But more than his impressive resume, his passion for people is evident in every aspect of his life and work. He will continue from where Obaseki stopped, and take it further.”
Others spoke of his generosity, hard work, commitment to excellence, result-driven potential, commitment to long-term friendship and courage.
Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, described his significant other as, “The most amazing heart I have ever met. He has overwhelming passion and love for people. He doesn’t have to know you. He doesn’t see class. Everybody is the same to him. He will do for the lowest as he would do for the highest. He gives and he keeps giving.”
The guber candidate, she added, applies his heart in whatever he does and has great commitment to supporting women and the youths.
“He wants the best for everyone. I am not allowed to say this, because I am his wife. But I agree that my people of Edo will be blessed to have Ighodalo at the helm of affairs. I should stop here, but I am going to add, to continue the very good work Obaseki and his wife have been doing in Edo. The transformation has been amazing,” she said.
Obaseki thanked Corporate Nigeria for AI for coming out to support the campaign.
He said, “This is to thank you very much for coming out tonight to support your own. Ighodalo will be a good governor. You know, he will perform as a governor, because he not only has the experience in terms of governance and building businesses. He has been part of the Edo project from the beginning, since 2006. So, he understands where we have been and how we got to where we are today.”
The governor appealed to the participants to help in raising funds required to support the Ighodalo campaign. He said funds would be required to cover election logistics, and ensure that party agents were mobilised to do their work effectively on election day.
Some of the Ighodalo die-hards at the event dared fifth columnists in the PDP and the politicians threatening to put fire in some PDP states to try Edo and meet their albatross.
“We dare PDP ‘unfaithfuls’ and saboteurs, who play chess with the party, to try Edo and see what fire does with the ear of a stubborn rat. Edo is not like any other South South state that can be used to trade political favours. They are doing it in Rivers and they have planted their relations to superintend over the Edo election, but we are here for them,” one of the participants said.
Wike had threatened to put fire in states, whose governors were supporting his successor and political ally-turned-rival, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, who fell out with him over issues connected to gadfatherism. The minister was accused of trying to have his hands into the state’s coffers, but the governor resisted him, which is causing political upheaval in Rivers, a states ranked among the top three richest in Nigeria.
Another participant noted that Edo people “cannot trust” the party that wanted to take the state by crook after Obaseki’s first term, by trying to pull the rug off his feet, with the welfare of the Heartbeat of the Nation.
Ighodalo thanked the group for its support and kind gesture, urging them to support his campaign with funds.
He said although he contributed significantly to the growth of the private sector, winning the Edo gubernatorial election would give him greater opportunity to impact over 5.2m lives.
He encouraged private sector operators to come up for elections, or support capable hands, to help steer the ship of governance across different levels of governance to greatness.
