₦airaland Forum

Validated:
Oga, die the matter of speaking Ishan language or having a house in the village. Those do not win elections in South South. We are not Yoruba that have different treatment for their people, just because their mother may not be Yoruba.

As for PDP unity, just wait until 2024. You will know what we mean when we say "Edo no bi Lagos".

you have a point.
Do you think someone who cannot speak English will be elected PM in England or the USA.
or non French speaker in France, or closer home a non Hausa Speaker in the north.


tell me, without towing party lines, What can Asue offer the people of Edo?

YorubaDemonswag:
Dr Asue Ighodalo is the next Governor of Edo state and there's nothing any Vagabond can say or about it

I think we can have a conversation and be civil about it. However, you are entitled to your opinion. I respect that.

Whilst I have no vested candidate. I have only analysed the front runners in the PDP. I will do same for Labour and APC.

You need to ask yourself why Asue?

He is from Edo state and does not speak his language
he does not have a house in his village.

This may seem like minor things, but they show that he is not vested in the state.

A counter argument may be that those who live in the state and speak the language, what have they done?
A valid counter argument I dare say.
For a candidate to perform in office, they have to fit all the criterias.

It is because we have put round pegs in square holes.

The candidate for Edo state for instance has to fulfil all these not some.

1. Edo person
2. Speak one of the languages - he needs to be able to converse with his people in a language they understand
3. Be grounded in the state - Live in the state
4. Able to reach out across borders to the opposition
5. Be a politician with a will to deliver

A technocrat may have all the ideas in the world, if he cannot convince his team to work with him then he would fail.

If you have a politician, who surrounds himself with technocrats, has negotiating skills then he/she will do well.

The leaders in the UK, USA, France, Germany and the Scandinavian countries are not technocrats. neither are they bureaucrats, but politicians who surround themselves with the aforementioned.

Obaseki has burned bridges in APC. In the PDP he has fragmented the party in 2. For all his brilliance he has failed to unify the party. His candidate may bear the wrath of the Godfather.

Anselm and Shuaibu both fit the bill I have described from 1-4

However, Shuaibu does not meet the Esan agenda, this leaves Anselm as the candidate I would have picked if I was a delegate. However, we do not know if any leader fits option 5 above until they get into office. That is a risk electorates take.


Have a great day guys

In about one year from now, Edo State would elect a new Governor, before then the party has to carry out to primaries to choose their flag bearers.
Aspirants are peeking from out from the crevices with a aspirations.
We will look at some of the Aspirants and their chances.

We will look at the PDP which is the ruling party in the state first.

The front runners in PDP

1. Dr Asue Ighodalo
The chairman of Sterling bank and an astute business. It has been purported all along that this was the Governors preferred candidate to replace him. A technocrat like the current Governor himself.

Strong points:
1. he is wealthy, so can fund campaign and buy delegates if required.
2. He has friends in high places so this is expected to attract investments to Edo State.
3. He has the current Governor working for him - the machinery of the state.

Weakness:
1. Cannot speak the Esan language - This is a huge negative as he has never affiliated with the people of Esanland, living all his life in the core West. The Gbadebo of Esan Land (derogatory term equating him to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour who wanted to become Governor of Lagos without being able to speak Yoruba).

2. Support of the Governor: This is a double edge sword. Though he has the machinery of the state at his disposal, the Governor does not have credit in the bank with politicians in the state. Should he force his candidate through the Primaries then PDP may lose the gubernatorial election.

3. Not a politician: Edo people do not want another technocrat.

4. Edo no be Lagos: He is seen as a foreigner in Edo State


2. Philip Shuiabu
Current deputy Governor of the state.

Strong points
Well liked
experienced in governance
Has finance

Weakness
His Candidacy goes against the gentleman's agreement of a power shift to Esan Central.
Seen as an activist and not a leader.


3. Anselm Ojezua
Immediate past chairman of APC

Strong Points
1. A proper homeboy - Lives amongst the people in Benin
2. Very experienced in Governance haven being in executive in 3 different administrations

Weakness
may not be able to compete financially with the richer candidates

4.Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama
erstwhile house of rep member

Strong Point
1. Has finances
2. a politicians
3. Young man

weakness
1. wants to eat his cake and have it. Sold his candidacy to Obaseki 4 years ago. Now wants to be Governor
2. Seen as Don Orbihs boy. Don Orbih is Wikes boy. So his candidacy is to disrupt the PDP and make APC win
3. Going against the Esan Agenda


Of the 4 Candidates
Anselm Ojezua seems to be the best candidate. He falls within the Esan agenda. Does not have a God father pushing him. Speaks his Language and has leadership role in the state.

And if we are to add a comical value to his candidacy, He is the finest of them,. Maybe finally Esan will have a handsome Governor.

This is my opinion.

The delegates may have other opinions.

Whats is your opinion?