Edo 2007: Not A Party Affair
As all Edolites of votable age prepare
their minds on who to vote as governor come April 2007, it is very
important to eschew party, ethnic or tribal affiliations and vote for
the right candidate. There is no denying the fact that the present
government of Edo state has completely distanced itself from the
governed. A drive within the length and breadth of Benin City brings to
fore the capital city that has been denied the provision and delivery of
core public service for the past 7 years. All the towns and villages
that were once accessible before Governor Lucky Igbinedion became the
governor of the state are today inaccessible due to lack of maintenance.
Most of the youths that do not have the opportunities of going to the
cities or abroad for greener pastures have no choice than to become
crude and peasant farmers like their forebears.
The neglect of the poor indigenes of Edo state is very glaring that one
would begin to wonder if the state is passing through a period of
anarchy. On November 30, 2006 it was published in the Daily Champion
newspaper that "Edo state government has proposed a budget estimate of
N46.98 billion for the 2007 financial year". While presenting the budget
to members of the state house of assembly, "the state governor Chief
Lucky Igbinedion said the aim of the financial estimate is to emphasise
the completion of all on-going projects as well as boosting the
industrialisation efforts of the government bearing in mind that this is
the last lap of the administration". After perusing the news story, my
question to the governor's tongue-in-cheek commentary during the budget
proposal presentation was; where are the indices of projects that are
due for completion that Chief Igbinedion was refering to?
Given the primary objective of writing this article, it is pertinent to
ask all Edolites if it would be proper to vote another non-performing
governor to power, come April 2007. Without mincing words, blind
affiliation to any party and ethnic group may make us elect another
governor that would put Edo state on the deplorable state of one step
forward, two steps backward.
Going by the present situation, it would be wise for all sons and
daughters of Edo state to vote the governor they assessed and percieved
to be credible, caring and patriotic enough. Let it be known that the
next governor of Edo state should be able to provide affordable and
accessible health care, creation of employment opportunities, provision
of potable water and access to qualitative education among other social
and economic provisions.
How do we achieve this? it is very simple. We should vote for the better
aspirant regardless of which party the candidate is representing. We
should begin to look at the personality and not the party. It is high
time we said NO to those who have been pursuing their personal and
selfish interest in Edo state in the name of governance. We should vote
for the candidate that will see every Edo man as one. We want a governor
who will see an Igbanke man as an Edo man, not as an Ibo man. We want a
leader who will see an Ishan man as equal, not as an inferior person.
Above all, Edo need a governor that would create an enabling environment
for profitable investment and job opportunities. This will make the mass
exodus of Edo state indigenes to countries in Europe less attractive.
Isaac Asabor
