Why Edo Should Rally Round Odubu

By Isaac Asabor

One great expectation of Edo people; both at home and in the Diaspora, is that the primaries that would be conducted among all the registered political parties for the September 19, 2020 governorship election is that it is free.

That is, that it is devoid of gerrymandering, McCarthyism, political maneuvering, or political jockeying among other electoral shenanigans that have kept depriving the State of quality governance from one political dispensation to another.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, giving the expediency of the need for Edo State to be taken to the next level, elections should be seen at this time to be meaningfully democratic. This, no doubt can only be achieved if they are free, fair, participatory, competitive, and legitimate.

This is possible only when elections; both at primary election and general election, are administered by a neutral authority; when the electoral administration or rather conduct is sufficiently competent and resourceful to take specific precautions against fraud; and particularly at the level of general election, when the police, military, and courts treat competing candidates and parties impartially; when contenders have access to the public media; when electoral districts and rules do not grossly handicap the opposition; and when the secret of the ballot is protected; when virtually all adults can vote; when procedures for organizing and counting the votes are widely known; and when there are transparent and impartial procedures for resolving election complaints and disputes.

This article examines the expediency of using elections, particularly at this time in Edo State, in halting the rudderless trajectory governance has assumed in the last few years.  Against the foregoing backdrop, not few Edolites are hopeful that political elites, particularly at the stage of primary elections, should altruistically take decisions that would lead to the emergence of a credible and well-accepted candidate by the electorates.

There is no denying the fact that this is the time some of our political elites, particularly among Edo All Progressives Congress in the State, should eschew their own individual interest and through the collective interest of the entire people of the State; both at home and in diaspora arrive at a consensus by picking a candidate that has all it takes to play a messianic role in the next political dispensation in the State.

Analyzed from the foregoing perspective, it is germane for this writer to say that as a citizen of Edo State in Nigeria, that he is inalienably protected by freedom of expression as enshrined in section 39 (1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution to speak on who he thinks has all it takes to lead the state out from the quagmire it has been thrown into by the powers that be.

In a similar vein, permit me to opine that democracy always rested on the right to freely express diverse opinions, and on the votes of well-informed citizens. Therefore, as a Journalist that is vested with the constitutional responsibility to play a vital role in the electoral process by assuring the dissemination of news and diverse opinions, it suffices to say that endorsing Odubu in this context as the leader who Edolites should extend massive support to cannot be controverted.

As popularly known, Journalists contribute to the effective participation of citizens in democratic debate, especially by ensuring that issues of public interest remain at the heart of election campaigns.

It is exigent to say that never has there been any time in Edo political history where the need for a credible leader such as Odubu has become so urgent than now as redirecting the ship of state from further falling into the labyrinth of hopelessness to the detriment of the people.

To those who have ostensibly continued to see Odubu as their enemy or foe since he joined the race to Osadebey house, it is germane they are called to order with the proverb that says, “Better the devil you know,” which simply means that something bad is better than something unknown.

They should be reminded in choosing a new governor for Edo State, especially now that the people have lost so much because wrongly chosen and elected leaders who have since the creation of the state used the full paraphernalia of power to deny Edo people what ought to be theirs.

Sadly the economy of the state is not yet as vigorous as that of, say, Lagos State, so the consequences have remained far more excruciating. With the choice of a good and competent candidate such as Odubu, the State APC has the great opportunity to reassert its indomitability as well as make the people to be confident that they have another prospect to recover all they lost during the highhandedness of the ongoing administration in the State. No one who loves Edo State will think of imposing another inept government on the people.

We should not be so partisan to ignore the fact that Odubu was once a deputy governor in an administration that performed to the admiration of all Nigerians; not just Edo people. He understands the dynamics of power at the gubernatorial level. I guess that very few politicians in the State understand how gubernatorial power can be leveraged on better than him. He once took advantage of it, and political observers, such as this writer have boasted openly about it and encouraged Edo people to make sure they rally round him, particularly at this time. From the much I know about Edo, I cannot agree more that Edo people should rally round Odubu.

There is no denying the fact that given the feelings from the political barometer in the state since on Thursday, April 30, 2020, when this writer instantaneously became inspired to write this piece that the critical decision time has begun. 

It is not a time for political gambling. With the people rallying round Odubu; both at the primaries and at the general election stages, and giving him the ticket and consequently to Osadebey Avenue come November 2020, there is no denying the fact that Edo State will be firmly positioned for prosperity and the people of the state will be better off for it.  Edo people cannot afford another round of inept governance. Voting for Odubu to my view is the most viable political option for Edolites at this time. Enough is enough for the wise.

Asabor wrote from Benin, Edo State

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