Nigeria as a country is at a crossroads once again. This could be the aftermath of the 2023 general elections or the seeming lack of genuine attempt to balance the economic burden recently induced by a plethora of policies by the Federal Government, from petrol subsidy removal to free float of the naira and others. The crossroads could also be the demand for or rational recognition of the quick fix to taking Nigerian citizens to the desired point and impact them positively with the much-elusive dividends of democracy since 1999.
In the present Nigeria, for example, there is the duplicity and prevailing predicament of weak institutions and infrastructure. On one hand, there is the section of inactive population intermittently wailing for change. On the other hand, there is a depressing, irregular, irritating and weak naira suffocating the involuntarily import-dependent Nigerian masses.
These predicaments are coupled with irreversible but damaging compromise and corrupt practices in high places boldly staring everybody in the face.
Unlike the Malaysian and Singaporean experiences under Lee Kuan Yew, for instance, Nigerians have been vexed, agitated, have pleaded and continue to struggle, begging for who to take the bull by the horn and make Nigeria and its nationalities a working project.
Consequently, therefore, we as a people with unique time-honoured values must do the needful to change the narrative beginning from Edo State. Edo, because we are fortunate to have off-season elections and have equally been fortunate to see the devastating fallouts of the February 2023 general elections which, as at today, are not blowing anybody any good.
On this premise, particularly on the burning desire to make Edo a truly great and enduring project, we must demand critical examination of the forthcoming 2024 governorship election and its projected outcome in the state.
To start with, Edo State in the last seven years has seen observable, substantial and certain indices of specific and ensuing direction in the area of ICT. There is also evidence of developmental ability and dependable power supply from Ossiomo Power Plant to energise society and governance.
In the area of certain policies, there is institutional sustainability drive such as E-gov, EdoJobs, EdoHIS and EdoGIS, as well functional infrastructure like the Edo State Government-backed modular refineries at Ologbo. These and many more are part of the judicious legacies brought to life by Governor Godwin Obaseki. Edo people must not allow them to prevaricate.
To reinforce the above, Edo State citizens, irrespective of the divide, must anxiously look forward to September 2024 when we can elect Governor Obaseki’s successor and the competent candidate who can lead Edo, based on tested theories of politics and universal welfarism.
From the foregoing, therefore, Edo needs a competent candidate with character, integrity and global appeal to generate, for instance, agro-allied facilities that are practicable. As a state, we need functional alternative energy, enduring infrastructure, healthcare as well as social services with new technologies and production.
Edo State needs, at this point in time, a leader who can drive the state with knowledge and make technology the hub culture of our daily life.
We need humane leaders who can provide contemporary solutions to modern-day leadership and governance challenges. Such persons should be favourably disposed to mobilising the people for integration through transparent belief system.
These we are yet to see or hear, particularly from some stakeholders in the 2024 governorship election and other persons who are busy with negative politicking. They are quick to tell Edo voters how they are going to resist and fight Governor Obaseki without emphasising any vision of consolidation. Their only ulterior inference in this guise is just to gain access to power and office perhaps for the sake of it.
In the sphere of policy drive and vision, it has been very difficult for Edo people to discern, for example, what the aforementioned persons can do with power and office other than mere resistance, fight and personal wishes.
Critically speaking, these fellows are not necessarily telling the people what they can bring to the table of positive development. It, therefore, implies that most of these fights and resistance we can envisage are purely based on personal spoils. The fights are not necessarily because Governor Obaseki is not taking the state in the direction of globally acknowledged Artificial Intelligence (AI). They are not fighting because Edo people cannot get light or because the state government cannot pay salaries or improve infrastructure. None, for instance, has come out openly in the last seven years to advocate technology advancement or meaningful alternative to the mission and vision put forward by Governor Obaseki. Of what use are the fight and resistance to Edo people?
Again, Edo people are yet to see any superior alternative proposals and transparent way of improving revenue drive to upscale critical infrastructure in the state. This is why Edo people must be very critical in understanding where each and every stakeholder wants to take the state to even after September 2024.
We must continue to drive and update our schools, health, agriculture, security, transportation, roads and critical infrastructure with present-day expertise. We must be decisive enough to allow the government of Edo to drive the state with knowledge and technology. Technology must evolve in Edo to become the hub culture of our daily activities even in politics.
We must re-evaluate our economic and social values and make Edo State productive, rather than continue to disburse capital like Father Christmas without any productive obligation.
Above all, Edo State must be made an inclusive enclave for all and sundry, irrespective of political, social and religious beliefs. This is particularly compulsory in the formulation of legislations, policies and deterrent sanctions. This will enable a lasting peace and prevent discretional implementation of rules, principles and theories of government agenda. Only on these sacrifices can Edo State continue to climb the hierarchy of advancement so desperately desired by its people. All these put together are part of the assignments for Governor Obaseki’s worthy successor starting from November 2024.
