By Daniel A. Noah Osa-Ogbegie
As activities geared towards the next Edo governorship election heats up, there are undoubtedly, plots, schemings and manipulations going on at different levels by the major players to tilt the tide in favour of their preferred aspirants. Most often than not, the calculations are not altruistic . It is why we have remained where we are.
Edo is primed with everything to be truly great,if we have the right political leadership . We are properly located to be a business and cultural hub. Yes, with our geographical location as the gateway and confluence connecting the south south and south east states with the rest of the country and vice versa, Edo can actually be Lagos. Furthermore, our famed ancient Benin Kingdom would give us the edge in building a robust tourism sector.
For any society to be truly great, the leadership must be passionate about that society. Passion cannot be decreed. The leader must have a connection with the people to build that passion. The connection is beyond what politicians try to show before periodic elections. It cannot be faked.
The next Edo leader or Governor must be a man who is deep in the ways of Edo people. He must not be clanish or provincial. He must totally enmesh in all the Edo tribes, having firm knowledge of most tribes and peoples of Edo State. We must examine to see how he has related with Edo people, irrespective of tribe, tongue, religion ,class and creed.
The next Edo Governor must show that he is prepared for this office of Governor of Edo State and would be ready to hit the ground running from his first day in office. He must tell us what he intends to achieve in his first term of four years.
The Governor Edo needs at this time must have respect for public institutions including traditional leaders, political parties, elder statesmen, our cultural heritage,religious institutions etc. We cannot afford to have a Governor who will fight the very essence of our being, as the incumbent has been doing. We don’t want a vindictive and cantankerous Governor.
Our next Governor must be a man of his words. He must be focused, organised and noble. He must say what he means and mean what he says. We can’t afford to continue with a Governor who will promise to give us the moon when he had no intention to give us a candle. We have been disappointed many times by Godwin Obaseki, who elevated lies and propaganda to policy of Edo State government to continue to hoodwink the people . He flags off projects he has no intention of commencing or completing ,just before every election, to deceive the people . He gives appointments to hundreds of Edo people before election and ends up not paying most of these appointees. Sad. For Godwin Obaseki, it is always about next election and how to win. This must stop with his lack-lustre government.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is that leader Edo State has been yearning for . He is the one to fill the gap and give us effective direction with integrity and the fear of God.
Ize-Iyamu is of noble parentage and bloodline right from his ancestor, Ododo, who was a friend of Oba Ewuare I to his great grandfather Chief Odia, who is reputed to be the best Iyase in the history of Benin, being a listening Iyase to Oba Osemwende, to his father Chief Osayande Ize-Iyamu, the then Esogban and Odionwere of Benin. He has shown by his personal examples that he was properly raised as a Benin son in the mould of his forebears, who were all nobles and agents of stability and development, without blemish.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu has always shown respect and deference to public institutions and those he saw as his leaders . He endeared himself more to me when in the face of attacks and insults by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole during the 2016 governorship election, he kept his cool and not once he replied Oshiomhole in same manner of insults or attacks, whether publicly or privately. The reason was not only because he was a Pastor because I have seen Pastors insult those who insult them. I have since discovered that it is his inherent personality and character . His personality and character are what make Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu the leader Edo people should covet at this time.
He has shown he is prepared for the task of leading Edo State to new vistas of opportunities and prosperity through a document he refers to as the SIMPLE Agenda. This shows a high level of confidence in himself to boldly document his plans for Edo State. He says this document is a product of his many years of interaction with Edo people ,understanding the various people and the needs of the various areas making up the state. No other aspirant has this and none has shown Ize-Iyamu’s high level of consistency in boldly stating his plans for Edo State since 2016. In this SIMPLE agenda, every local government in the state is covered and meticulously taken care of.
It is general knowledge that the man,Osagie Ize-Iyamu has friends, associates and acquitances in all the 192 wards in Edo State. This apparently shows a man that is Edocentric and people centred. Tribal agitators have nothing to fear.
My experience with Ize-Iyamu as a friend and mentee these past few years have shown me that the man will be Governor of all Edos and will develop every part of Edo State. Many other people know this and it is why they have maintained close friendships with him for many years.
I can conveniently say that the top three members of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu political family are Esan. Pastor Ize-Iyamu believes in Esan people a lot and he always commend their industry and enterprising nature. So for him, presenting himself as the next Governor of Edo State is beyond tribe or senatorial district . It is because he has a lot to offer as Governor of Edo State. We cannot afford to sacrifice Ize-Iyamu’s character, personalty, efficiency and capacity for the fleeting emotions of tribal agitation.
TO BE CONTINUED
Daniel Osa-Ogbegie is a legal practitioner and a member of the All Progressives Congress.
