By Victor Osehobo



The cardinal responsibility of any government is the security of the lives and properties of its citizens. The government must be limited, and there should be no room for self-enrichment, since we must assume that the people are in government because of their love for the people and not due to their own desires for financial and political gain.

Sadly, in Governor Godwin Obaseki's government, there is no room for such a view. Here we have a man who has abysmally failed Edo people. Under his leadership, we have suffered the highest level of emotional and psychological trauma as a party and a people.

The people of Edo have experienced the highest level of criminality ranging from herdsmen ravage, armed robbery, drug and cult wars, rapes, kidnapping etc. without any response from the Chief security officer of the state.
Observers say these have largely been due to poor level of security, lack of support, and motivation from the government to the security agencies. What of the millions of jobless but qualified youths roaming the streets waiting for the elusive 200,000 jobs, Obaseki promised in 2016.

A large proportion of Edo people now live in hunger, poverty and frustration, as government's drastic taxation drive rapes the already pauperized informal sector. The result is low self-esteem and inferiority complex among the traders and artisans. People who were breadwinners in their families, can no longer help their loved ones and other dependants.

Boards have remained un-constituted, while parastatals and agencies of key government Ministries been pauperized, deprived of management, personnel and funds under Obaseki. Government contracts if any are given to Lagos Contractors who import workers from outside the state. People centred projects like the Accident and Emergency Ward of the over 100-year old Central Hospital in Benin City which was completed and commissioned, is now a subject of a probe, 4-years down the road.

Under Governor Obaseki, Edo people have also experienced the highest level of political violence since the state was created in 1991. Former government officials opposed to the second term bid of the Governor and critics though his party members are being hounded, harassed and intimidated. Government is gradually turning a personal weapon for political vendetta.

The state is now faced with these and so many other challenges that it requires a New, committed and dedicated leadership, who can and will provide humane social services and people centred governance at minimal stress on the voters by rebuilding the public trust in government in order to make it easier for citizens to re-engage with their government.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has the requisite leadership qualities, experience, exposure, discipline and the depth of commitment to provide this required leadership to the people of Edo state, having served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State government. A vote for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as APC flagbearer would usher in the reign of peace and security of lives and properties, as he is a community leader and a people centred politician who has over the years advocated for quality leadership in the state.

For a better Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, is the right choice and APC as the vehicle and as a party must do the needful to make this a reality. Edo APC leaders and stakeholders know that a vote for any aspirant like Obaseki would be a vote for the perpetuity of unbridled passion for malfeasance, as he would unfailingly continue with a poor irresponsive and irresponsible governance. Edo must move forward.