EDO 2012/OUR ENDORSEMENT

After a season of acrimonious electioneering campaigns, the people of Edo State will on Saturday go to the polls to elect the governor who will preside over their affairs for the next four years.

The challenge before them is to choose someone who is fit and capable, one driven more by passion to serve rather than to grab power for its own sake. It is a moment that comes every four years and the people must choose right.

On face value, the people of Edo State have a variety of choices for the job. But in reality, the race has been narrowed to three prominent candidates, easily discernible because of their campaign efforts, their personal profiles and the political platforms they represent: the incumbent, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Mr. Solomon Edibiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

However, in the light of today's realities, the people of Edo State cannot afford to vote in line with party affiliation. Of the three prominent candidates in the contest, Oshiomhole is the best candidate by a long yard.

In 2007, when Oshiomhole entered the governorship contest in Edo State, THISDAY Board of Editors endorsed him along with a few others in some states. Our decision was based on a principled assessment of his patriotic and progressive profile as President of the powerful Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Almost four years later, Oshiomhole has not disappointed us, as he has given robust leadership in the transformation of the state in various sectors.

The essential point here is that Oshiomhole has successfully demonstrated to those who did not give him a chance that his capacity for arguing for peoples’ rights is as good as his ability to deliver concrete and measurable performance in office. It can be said, in general terms, that his government has built good roads and drainages and given the state capital, Benin, an infrastructure revamp. Health care and education also have fared better under Oshiomhole, even as water supply has been extended to villages.

But a government cannot be justifiably assessed based on physical infrastructure alone. Our position rests more on a systematic evaluation of the broader gains of democracy and the opening up of the political space in Edo State. What calls for joy in Oshiomhole’s tenure and performance is the spirit of robust engagement of all stakeholders that has characterised his leadership. He has also remained focused and forthright and has earned the trust of his people. Even honest leaders of other political parties have publicly acknowledged this of Oshiomhole; among these are two former governors of the state – Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and Chief John Odigie Oyegun.

It is our belief that the political situation in Edo State will be helped once there emerges a new leadership paradigm that does not fan entrenched political interest with no record of advancing the progress of the people the way Oshiomhole’s administration has done so far. We note that the governor is facing a big challenge as he battles these powerful forces in the crucial election coming up on Saturday but it will ultimately be the lot of Edo people to decide whether to allow the progress being made under Oshiomhole to continue, or put the development of the state in reverse gear. We have no doubt that they will make the right choice.

We therefore call on the members of the old guard, like Chief Tony Anenih and his allies, who have had a lifetime of opportunity to change for good the fortunes of Edo State but failed woefully, to retire and allow the socio-economic and political development of the state to continue to flourish. It is also incumbent on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the votes of Edo people are counted and that they count. The security agencies must equally be neutral and be on the alert to avert any possible breakdown of law and order. This is important, not only because a functional democracy requires free and fair elections which are unimpeded by violence and intimidation, but also because elections, as we have seen over the years, can become catalysts for further violence, particularly when there is fraud or a reasonable suspicion of one.

All said, for his competent delivery on governance in the first term, the THISDAY Board of Editors is endorsing Oshiomhole for the Saturday governorship election in Edo State, because we are convinced that his re-election will advance the progress of the state and its people.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/thisday-why-oshiomhole-should-be-re-elected/119864/

Pukkah: EDO 2012/OUR ENDORSEMENT

We therefore call on the members of the old guard, like Chief Tony Anenih and his allies, who have had a lifetime of opportunity to change for good the fortunes of Edo State but failed woefully, to retire and allow the socio-economic and political development of the state to continue to flourish.

This is direct.