COMRADE Adams Oshiomhole had no problems at all in securing the ticket of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for the 2012 gubernatorial election. He was said to have simply called a few of his close friends

and associates to a meeting at Government House, and before the ovation that greeted his speech died down, a motion for his adoption

as the flagbearer of the ACN party had been moved, supported and passed. Although Edo people consider the undemocratic manner of

Oshiomhole’s adoption laughable, many are not surprised.

It is common knowledge that in formulating government’s policies, Comrade Oshiomhole forbids the inputs of leaders of his ACN.

Also, as far as he is concerned, the social and economic sensibilities of the people do not count for much; and he has always been intolerant of opposing views. Here again, no one is surprised because he has never hidden his decision to carry on with the affairs of government only as his spirit would direct him. Unfortunately, his spirit would seem to have led him along the wrong paths on virtually all his policies and projects.

Now, see the prostrate picture of Edo State: Only the addition of sidewalks to a few of the roads leading to the Ring Road in the Benin City metropolis is all that Comrade Governor parades for the staggering sum he has spent so far for infrastructural development in Edo State. Airport Road alone, for example, hitherto motorable, is said to have gulped almost as much as it took Osunbor to construct/maintain over 35 roads across the length and breadth of Edo State in his just under 18 months in office as Governor. But as with many others of great social and economic importance to the people, Airport Road is worse off than it was before Oshiomhole came in. As a matter of fact, people say that any pregnant woman who drives on the Oko end of the Airport Road stands the risk of losing her pregnancy! It is as bad as that. All other roads in Benin City, the capital, and elsewhere throughout the state, can fittingly be described as some high technology footpaths.

The crime rate in Edo State has never been as high as it is today. As a matter of fact, the state is literally under siege and no one cares. The unemployment figures are rising by the day. Oshiomhole had boasted that he would create 10,000 jobs. But till this day, nothing has happened beyond a token increase in the number of workers in some of the agencies (Environmental Sanitation Agency and others) pioneered by Osunbor. Education is in shambles; healthcare delivery is on the ebb. The modest expansion of facilities at the Central Hospital in Benin results from the intervention of one of the international agencies, although Oshiomhole claims the credit. No consideration is spared at all for the many who have been rendered homeless, thanks to the mindless demolition of their houses by government.

Then the workers, now over-taxed and impoverished, walk the streets crest fallen and sullen. It is difficult, if notcompletely impossible, to predict his next move because other than Governor Oshiomhole, nobody can really tell the direction his government is headed. Look at Edo people: despair has taken the place of hope which was fostered by Osunbor’s inspiring leadership style and remarkable achievements.

In spite of this prostrate picture of Edo State under Oshiomhole, he is still determined to hold on tightly to the reins of social, economic and political control of the state. The exceptionally ruthless approach to the pursuit of the thinly disguised agenda to discredit selected PDP frontline leaders is also part of Oshiomhole’s grand design to browbeat the

party, and indeed Edo people, into submission.

The PDP would seem to have learnt some lessons from the unfortunate events of 2008. Some of its leaders have said, reassuringly, that no one should entertain any doubts about the ability of the party to prove itself equal to all the conceivable demands of the 2012 gubernatorial election.

Beyond such sentiments, the Edo PDP must do all that may be necessary to focus the people’s attention on those core issues of development that would guide their choice of a Governor, come 2012. Fortunately, the PDP does not need to look too hard to find such a candidate. Senator Osunbor performed creditably in his just under 18 months in office as Governor. His remarkable achievements in all fronts – infrastructural development, including roads, education, health, workers’ welfare, to name only a few, are firmly implanted in the hearts and minds of Edo people; and they have been missing him since the unfortunate events of 2008.

It is the choice of such a tested and trusted candidate that should be uppermost in the considerations of leaders of the PDP. This is the time for the party to play its trump card. Sponsored debates about zoning and suchlike

trifles can only cause confusion within the leadership rank of the PDP, and weaken its position in the 2012 gubernatorial election. A word is enough for the wise.

Mr.  IBIZUGBE DANIEL, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.