Barely three weeks from now, eligible voters in Edo State will troop out in their numbers to elect a new governor who will take over from Governor Godwin Obaseki when his tenure ends on November 12.
Ahead of the election scheduled for September 21, the candidates and their political parties have continued to intensify their campaign and reach out to the electorates with their programmes and agendas. While some of the 17 candidates gunning for the governorship seat have made their manifestoes public, others have yet to release their manifestoes and some others don’t seem to have a manifesto as of now.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, made public his manifesto which he entitled “Pathway to Prosperity for All” on June 24, 2024.
Also, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Barr. Olumide Akpata, unveiled his manifesto, entitled “My Pact with the People of Edo State”, on August 24.
On August 25, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Engr. Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen, made his manifesto available to the public.
Ighodalo’s pathway to prosperity for all
In his manifesto, Ighodalo explained that creating prosperity for all means making it easy for people to live, work and move around Edo.
“Our plan is to focus on building and improving the infrastructure that promotes the overall wellbeing of our people, while also investing in the requisite commercial infrastructure that supports each economic zone,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate identified prosperity enablers as roads, power, transportation, markets, human capital development and support for women.
The ‘Prosperity for All’ agenda of the PDP candidate is centred on five cardinal points: (1) Wellbeing of the people; (2) Economic growth; (3) Our environment; (4) Good governance, and (5) Security, law and order.
On wellbeing of the people, Ighodalo said ensuring the wellbeing, health and happiness of all Edo people is sacrosanct and these he intends to achieve through provision of hardship relief, good jobs, good roads, electricity, affordable healthcare, good quality education, potable water, and women and youth empowerment.
On economic growth, he stated that he will be leveraging the state’s competitive advantages to grow the economy and create wealth by increasing agricultural production, jobs, made-in-Edo products, culture and tourism, a buoyant creative industry (movies, music, arts), mining, and small businesses.
The PDP candidate also highlighted his plan to improve the environment by protecting the environment and future through sustainable growth, erosion & flooding control, reforestation, green spaces, renewable energy, green micro-grids, resilient cities, and protecting the future.
Similarly, on good governance, Ighodalo assured of delivering quality public services while ensuring transparency and accountability through a motivated workforce, listening to the people, fiscal responsibility, being accountable, consolidating E-governance, inclusive government, and transparency.
On security, law and order, which are the foundations of prosperity, he said he aims to achieve security in the state by supporting the police, adopting technology, community engagement, rule of law, restoring Edo’s values and social stability, and community trust.
Akpata’s pact with Edo people
Akpata in his manifesto stated that his vision is to create and grow a healthy, stable, sustainable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone.
The Labour Party candidate’s manifesto is anchored on 8-point agenda: Economy and Job Creation, Roads and Related Infrastructure, Electricity and Energy Access, Agriculture and Food Security, Education, Healthcare, Security of lives and Property, and Other Essential Infrastructure.
On economy and job creation, Akpata said by building a strong and inclusive economy, “we can create jobs, improve public service and give Papa, Mama, Pikin fair shot at success”.
“Our strategy for economic development is multi-faceted. We will deploy this three pronged strategy for rapid economic development, revenue growth and fiscal management, business enabling environment and industrialisation,” he said.
On roads and related infrastructure, Akpata said his plan is to launch a road master plan to upgrade within 18 months selected key roads that can help unlock economic prosperity in all three senatorial zones and to support local government in maintaining feeder roads crucial for moving farm produce from farm to market.
On electricity and energy access, he said, “Converting Edo State into an economic or industrial hub, supporting production, or generally engendering economic development would not be possible without reliable electricity supply to drive operations and keep systems running. In the same way, our markets, schools, hospitals and MSMEs cannot operate optimally without dependable electricity supply. Efficient and steady electricity supply will also improve the standard of living, create jobs and reduce the cost of doing business within the State. Thus, addressing the electricity needs of Edo State in a sustainable manner is central to our agenda.”
On education, Akpata stated that his plan is to invest in education, upgrade schools, build model schools and skill incubators, modernize learning and curricula.
On security of lives and property, he said that his administration will improve security funding and improve the welfare of security personnel.
“We will dedicate funds to enhance existing security infrastructure, work with the private sector to boost the Edo State Security Trust Fund, as well as support and empower the Nigeria Police and other security agencies. We will invest in the welfare of our security personnel, providing them with the modern tools required to tackle crime effectively,” he said.
On health, the LP candidate said he would ensure that there is at least one fully equipped, properly staffed, and functional primary healthcare centre (PHC) in each of the 192 wards in Edo State.
On agriculture and food security, he stated that his plan is to ignite an agricultural revolution and unlock Edo State’s immense agricultural potential, manage food inflation, work towards food security, and improve the livelihood of farmers.
Other essential infrastructure, he said his plan is to establish Digital Technology Infrastructure.
“Infrastructure deficiencies in the form of inadequate water supply, weak digital connectivity, poor structures to mitigate devastating effects of erosion and several other challenges continue to undermine the well-being and quality of life of Edo people in both rural and urban areas,” he said.
Izedonmwen’s RAIISE Agenda
The ADC candidate’s manifesto is anchored on his “RAIISE” Agenda outlining the six cardinal points of his government, if elected, namely, Rural Revitalisation, Agriculture, Industrialisation, Infrastructure, Security and Excellence.
Engr. Izedonmwen stated that his vision for Edo State is a future where innovation pulses through every sector, where opportunities flourish in every corner, and where economic empowerment is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all.
The ADC candidate said his mission is to catalyze Edo State into a vibrant centre of economic growth and innovation.
“Together with our people, we will harness our agricultural, mineral, and human resources to their fullest potential. I pledge to cultivate a culture of efficiency, responsiveness, and entrepreneurial vigor within our governance, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of every citizen,” he said.
On rural-revitalisation, Izedonmwen said his administration’s goal will be to transform rural areas, bridging the gap between rural and urban living standards.
“We will develop infrastructure and services in rural communities to stimulate inclusive growth and prosperity. By improving the quality of life in these regions, we will curb the developmental bias driving migration to cities and ensure balanced development across Edo State,” he said.
On agriculture, the ADC candidate said his agenda includes initiatives to support farmers with affordable credit, advanced tools, technologies, and improved farming practices. He said by enhancing agricultural efficiency and increasing per capita output, his government will ensure food security, create employment opportunities, and ultimately boost the state’s economy.
On industrialisation, he said investing in industrial learning and manufacturing for export as a critical component of his vision.
“By fostering an environment conducive to industrial growth, we will transform Edo State into a hub for manufacturing and exports. This will involve establishing industrial parks and providing comprehensive training programs in vocational institutions, with a focus on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics),” he said.
On infrastructure, Izedonmwen said building world-class infrastructure is essential to support the state’s agricultural and industrial activities in line with his 20-year developmental plan, while on security, he said securing farmlands, rural areas, and cities is paramount to protecting lives, encouraging farming, and attracting investments to Edo State.
“Our agenda includes measures to strengthen law enforcement, enhance community policing, utilize advanced technologies and modern security assets for intelligence gathering. Ensuring the safety of citizens and their properties will create a stable environment for economic activities and, by extension, increase our state’s Internally Generated Revenue,” he said.
On excellence, the ADC candidate believes that to ensure an effective, efficient, and productive workforce, there must be a deliberate cultivation of a well-educated, healthy, and trained citizenry.
“Therefore, we will prioritize key areas such as education and affordable healthcare to improve our Human Capacity Development (HCD) indices,” he said.
With these three candidates and political parties having made their manifestoes public, it is only right to expect other candidates and their political parties to produce theirs. This is to give the people of Edo State an insight into the minds, plans, programmes and agendas of the candidates for the citizens. This way, voters will head to the poll on September 21 better equipped to make an informed decision on which candidate to give their votes.
