By John Mayaki

Political layabouts and neophytes donning the garb of opposition in Edo State have begun to diminish as the golden boy of the Nigeria’s financial sector and gubernatorial candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, continue to win the hearts of electorates, pundits and close observers of the rudiments of electoral success and power play.

On each public outing, the former chairman of Sterling Bank has proven to have stepped into the mould of a generational political leader; systematically plugging the holes and ready to breast the tape to occupy Dennis Osadebay House by September 21st. This is chiefly on the plank of running issue-based campaigns, evinced in effective communication of his creative ideas, unfettered access to electorates, infectious charisma, genuine compassion for the underpriviledged and a clear-cut understanding of the domestic challenges confronting infrastructure deficits in Edo State, amongst others.

Unlike Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is still groping in the dark and basking in the euphoria of forlorn expectation of seeing an “abracadabra” happen on election day, Dr. Ighodalo is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to garner more support; to him, attaining success means taking deliberate decisions and actions, as opposed to landing in one’s preferred destination via wishful thoughts.

Just recently, in two separate interviews by Arise and Channels TV stations, the media-friendly beautiful bride of Osadebay House, oozed alluring brilliance that demonstrates his unique preparedness to assume full responsibility of building a new Edo State that can compete favourably with states in the western world. His well-articulated mission is simple: form a democratically-elected government that has the trust and confidence of international grantors and financiers, and launch Nigeria’s once-upon-a-time epicentre for arts and culture into her destined orbit in the 21st century. Therefrom, rewrite the sordid narratives of Edo State and make her a tourist haven and investment destination that will increase her IGR and become a major contributor to the nation’s GDP.

In one of the must-listen and thought-provoking interviews, the PDP governorship hopeful, tipped himself as a candidate to beat albeit exuding the most humble and lowly mien, never displayed by any governorship candidate from the state. He conscientiously identified water provision as a basic necessity for human survival in the state and outlined localities that are begging for such government’s intervention. He also pointed out the importance of good road networks in promoting commerce and turbocharging sectoral developments in a new Edo State, and as such, vowed to accord various degrees of urgent attention to highways and arterial thoroughfares in the state, when elected governor.

Unbeknownst to his critics and cynics, who have been undermining Asue’s vast boardroom experience, the former chairman of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), arrived the political arena well-equipped with private and public service expertise. He underscored the need of not working in isolation as a state but creating a nexus between Edo State and the central government, including renowned international donor agencies in pursuit of infrastructure and human capital development. In fact, he stole the hearts of viewers and prospective voters when he detailed practicable steps in resolving the myriads of developmental challenges in the state. A brainbox, he is!

As if in conformity with John C. Maxwell who asserted thusly: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” Asue revealed that a carefully-carried out feasibility studies showed that about N75b will bid farewell to the water challenges in the state. Also ahead of his detractors, who may query the availability of such humongous funds for a water reticulation project, the Esan-born lawyer declared: “Our recent assessment suggests that we would probably need between N60 billion to N75 billion to solve the water problem in Edo State. The issue is where are we going to get the money from? I have spent part of my life raising money for corporate and institutions. So, I know where the money is. We will bring that trust and transparency into governance, so we are better able to attract capital and I know where capital is in this world. I know where grants are; where donors who are ready to look to us are. I’m not too bothered about finding money.”

This disarming audacity, tremendous foresightedness, enviable track record of public sector service and international recognition, tied firmly to his widespread acceptance by electorates of Edo State have inched Dr. Asue Ighodalo closer to clinching the coveted crown in the September 21 polls.

Not a few were awed during his last live interview by Channels TV, that a man taunted as a “Lagos Boy” has already criss-crossed the entire 192 wards of Edo State unlike the “homegrown” Monday Okpebholo who is yet to find his feet in effectively unveiling his action plan to electorates few weeks to the crucial election. Asue has been consistently seen interacting with all classes of people in nooks and crannies of Edo State, especially the indigent populace to grab firsthand, what their expectations would be from the next government, with a view to birthing a new Edo State where milk and honey flows into every home.

Many believe, and rightly so too, that with visionaries and transformational leaders with a swish of magic wand like Asue Ighodalo, superintending over the affairs of federating units (states) in Nigeria, the excruciating burden laid on the shoulders of the federal government in provision of basic amenities will drastically reduce and pave the way for catalysing rapid economic prosperity for the entire country.

According to Rosalynn Carter, a former first lady of USA, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”
It is therefore incumbent on Edolites to choose wisely between having an ordinary leader or a great leader on the saddle of returning Edo State as the original heart beat of the nation, that she rightly is.

Luckily, the sincerity of purpose, articulation and easy comprehension of Dr. Asue Ighodalo’s campaign blueprint which is devoid of gutter-politicking, make his aspiration a low-hanging fruit waiting for the harvester’s sickle on election day.

Mayaki is a journalist, Historian and Diplomat. He’s a Communication, Culture and Media expert (Coventry University, England). An Oxford and Cambridge University-trained entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainability expert. He’s also a Professional Consultant on Communication, Management and Strategy (Chattered Management Institute, England).