By Funmi Komolafe

THE  debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group for governorship candidates for the forthcoming election in Edo state was  indeed an eye opener.

Several issues were raised and the candidates responded to all the issues raised  differently.  Expectedly all the candidates including the incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole promised Edo indigenes and residents a better life. Whereas,  all other contending  candidates agreed that  citizens should be led by disciplined leaders, two candidates  by their conduct  contradicted their views.

The candidates  of the National Conscience Party, Mr. Paul Orunwense and  Prince Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) arrived late to the venue. The candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP)  Chief Solomon Edebiri was gentlemanly in his approach to all  issues.

He commended Governor Oshiomhole for moving the state forward but stated that more needs to be done to develop human capital development. In his words, “the graph of human capital development is going down”.

Comrade Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on his part responded calmly to all the issues including veiled attacks on his person.  He recalled that Edo had been run down before 2007.

He spoke of his achievements in the area of road construction, tackling erosion, flood, boosting of economic activities in the rural areas but he said, “what is yet to be done is far much more than we have done in the last three years.  We have laid a solid foundation   which  we will build on in the second term”.

National Conscience Party candidate, (NCP), Mr. Paul Orunwense also promised to improve the living standard of people in the state including the introduction of vigilante groups in the village and urban areas in order to improve security of lives and property in the state.

Governorship candidates of political parties that participated in the debate on Wednesday

Like others, he condemned corruption but sent a missile to the PDP when he said, “people who steal in billions are walking the streets because their government is in power. The PDP candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere on his part said, he has taken a critical look at  Edo State since 1999   and “it is clear our people have not enjoyed the dividends  of democracy”.

Oshiomhole did not fail to remind  Airhiavbere  that his  party; the PDP ruled the state for 10 years whereas  the ACN has been in government for only three years and “ the difference is what we see”.

Oshiomhole was to also launch at Airhiavbere when the PDP candidate goofed that the United Nations did not want to lend money to Edo state  because it was not sure the money would be  judiciously utilized.

Oshiomhole educated him that the UN does not lend money informing that the World Bank which does has indeed commended  his government for its unique achievement in the area of  infrastructural development.

Infrastructural development
Prince Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic  Mega Party  ( SDMP) could not be ignored.   He could best be described as the ‘Tokunbo’ candidate.  He did not fail to make reference to his experience abroad “where I came from”.  He made it clear that to reform the educational system, “we’ll re-introduce cane in schools.  I don’t tolerate any act of indiscipline.  Nigeria has good followership.  All they need is good leadership”.

On youth employment, Prince Ukonga said  his government would  in the first 100 days in office create 100 cottage industries  and create 500,000 jobs as “ I have seen while abroad”.  He declared, “in two years, unemployment will vanish in Edo state”.

Comrade Oshiomhole of the ACN  who is the incumbent said “ Governance is not like magic”.  He said job creation has been approached through the private sector and the public sector.

His government he said  promised 10,000 jobs in 2007 but has employed 11,000 in its Youth Employment Scheme. He also cited the private investors rushing into the state noting that business mogul, Aliko Dangote is to set up a factory in Agenebode that will create 5,000 direct jobs among other efforts by other investors.

ANPP candidate, Chief Solomon Edebiri promised women 30  per cent  participation in government.  He said “his party believes in gender equality” while,  Mr. Paul Orunwense of the NCP said if elected he would focus on girl child education and ensure that there is no  employment discrimination against women.

Incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole beat his chest  with his record appointment of women as commissioners of education, health and  head of the millennium development goals( MDGS).

Challenging positions
He said  “We have appointed women into challenging positions” and they have  performed very well.PDP candidate, Major- General Charles Airhiavbere  on his own part cited his wife’s involvement in his campaign as one way of boosting women involvement in society. “I have been going everywhere to campaign with my wife,” adding perhaps as an afterthought “we are looking beyond 35 per cent women participation.”

SDMP candidate, Prince Frank Ukonga promised 50 per cent employment for women. NCP candidate, Mr. Paul Orunwense cautioned the electorate not to sell their votes.  He warned against violence.  He reminded all that “ only one person will be governor”. He reiterated the political slogan of Oshiomhole “ One man , one vote” and added “ one youth, one vote.  Your votes will count.

It was no doubt an interesting debate but the organizers also had shortcomings. It is expected that many of the shortcomings would have been overcome during at the second and final debate scheduled for later this week.