The political atmosphere in Edo State is charged. The jockey for Osadebe Avenue is tense as politicians from all major political parties are doing everything to outsmart the other. In the same vein, similar to every new invention which comes with opportunities and challenges, the electioneering season in the state has also led to the proliferation of political pressure groups gunning for the candidates of their choice.
Among these groups that emerged in recent time, Team Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor for Asue/Ogie, supporting the PDP candidates Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie for Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively, going by its actions and inactions so far is in the opinion of this piece, the loudest and most formidable.
For a better understanding of where the piece is headed, it is important to highlight the fact that following the successful nomination by the Edo State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Mr. Asue Ighodalo, an accomplished investment banker, and Mr. Osarodion Ogie, a former Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), as their candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively, in the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 2024, a campaign Council was constituted by the party.
Consequentially, Edo-born but North Carolina, United States of America (USA), based Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor, a foremost medical practitioner, was appointed as a strategic member of the campaign Council to the admiration and excitement of all.
Before the dust of excitement raised by his appointment and wide acceptance could settle, another was up.
This time around, Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor, out of personal accord decided to justify his appointment, and consolidate on the primary objective of assisting Asue/Ogie win the forthcoming election. He went the extra mile to form Team Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor for Asue/Ogie, a political movement personally sponsored but shares a common purpose that seamlessly aligns with that of the Edo state Peoples Democratic Party. The Group has Dr.Uyi as Convener/National Coordinator and Grand Knight Tonna Okei, as the Deputy National Coordinator.
Though hails from Ekuku Agbor, Delta state, Tonna who is the son of Barrister George Okei (KSM), a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the now rested Bendel state has remained affiliated to Edo state with network of friends, and resolute in seeing Team Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor, cheer Asue/Ogie and the PDP to victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The duo (Dr. Uyi and Okei) share confidence as a common denominator and have, together with their members visited every nook and cranny of the state and, by so doing, become so visible to the extent that their impact are well felt when juxtaposed with other party campaign councils.
Separate from redefining political campaign in the state through consistent creative value-addition strategies and working impressively to the admiration of all within and outside the party through an issue-based campaign devoid of calumny and character assassination, also interesting is the consciousness that the group enjoys a national/international outlook as its membership cuts across Edo state to include people from other states- including worthy Nigerians resident outside the country.
On why the Group is rooting for Asue/Ogie, Okei said; the Asue/Ogie joint ticket is a blend of two separate but complementing sectors of accomplishments needed for recording excellence in public leadership. The Group also believes that there are no basics for comparison between Asue/Ogie and other candidates.
Speaking metaphorically, the Group’s Deputy National Coordinator likened Asue/Ogie joint ticket to the Biblical City set apart which can never be hidden, noting that there is no basis for comparison between Asue/Ogie and candidates of other political parties. When Asue/Ogie is placed side by side with other pretenders masquerading as candidates, one discovers without labour a whole world of difference.
While he argued that Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate is an accomplished banker, entrepreneur and seasoned investor, Tonna Okei, further highlighted that Osarodion Ogie, deputy governorship, on his part, is a thorough bred Lawyer with many years of significant experience and a reputable technocratic who has served the state at various levels; first as a commissioner in the state, Chief of Staff to the Governor and currently, the SSG.
At this point, Okei said something interestingly remarkable. Again, let’s listen to him.
In his words, there is a spiritual inclination to the emergence of the PDP’s candidates. You will recall that a few days ago, the Edo State Chapters of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), endorsed as its candidate of choice, Dr Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, the candidate of the PDP for the September 21, governorship election in the state.
According to him, the endorsement and prayer rain for their victory in the coming election was the high point of the PFN’s 2024 Edo State School of Ministry at the PCU-PFN administrative headquarters by Egba Junction along Benin-Auchi Road. The 2024 version of the yearly event which was tagged: ‘Walking in Dominion,’ had over 100 ministers from various ministries in attendance.
Okei quoted the PFN State Chairman, Pastor Dr. (Mrs) M.O. Agbonifo, as saying that the Christian body was delighted to have Ighodalo and his running mate present with them and that they had no single doubt that they were the best pair for the top job in the state, adding that the PFN had sought God’s face and got assurances that Dr. Asue Ighodalo was without doubt the right man for the job and that he would be the next governor of the state.
Okei, an African Culture Ambassador, who doubles as the author of the book, titled ‘I Am Still Standing,’ published by him and launched in the USA on the 16th of March, 2023, boasted of his conviction that Asue/Ogie will achieve victory at the poll, noting that “Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor is working impressively for that purpose to the admiration of all within and outside the party through a well-crafted issue-based campaign devoid of calumny and character assassination and our membership are creasing by the day. The group currently enjoys a national/international outlook as its membership cuts across Edo State.”
Away from spiritual inclination and well-crafted issue-based campaign devoid of calumny and character assassination to the Group’s efforts to empower the people of the state at the grassroots, it was recently reported that Team Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor for Asue/Ogie, a while ago teamed up with the Benedicta’s Market Women Money, the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Princess Benedicta Attoh, to distribute N10,000 each to traders in support of the vegetable, pure water, fufu, fish, grinding machines, hawking and other businesses they are engaged in.
Addressing the women, the council boss introduced Igbinadolor as the donor of the N300,000 for 30 women, which they are in the market to distribute as a lifeline to support the poorest of the poor in society due to the high level of hunger caused by the inhumane policies of the Federal Government.
Continuing, the Council boss added that more of the women will be captured in other zones of the local government in the next few days.
She described lifeline support as one that offers hope, and dignity, reduces poverty, promotes self-sustainability and development and called on public-spirited men and women to emulate Dr. Uyi Igbinadolor by extending helping hands to those that need help the most in society. She said charitable donations play significant roles in poverty alleviation, especially in rural communities.
Collaborating the position canvassed by the Council boss, Tonna on his part stressed that because of the Group’s understanding that ‘politics is local’, they are doing everything humanly possible to reachout, connect and bond with the people at the grassroots as they are in the majority with significant voting strength. He concluded.
Utomi is the programme coordinator (media and public policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos-based NGO
