EDO 2012: WHO BLINKS FIRST? BY GODDAY ODIDI

With the current massive political campaigns by the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) against the 2012 governorship election in Edo state indicate the total victory of the action party. History has it that since the emergence of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the governor of the state, the state has witnessed massive infrastructural development and others.Though the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) is seriously warming up to capture the state at all costs.PDP under the then leadership of Chief Lucky Igbinedion steered the affairs of the state for two consecutive terms with no enviable achievements rather greeted the region with high profile corruption in the system. From 1999 to 2008 of PDP leadership, the state resources were wasted abruptly

One thing many Nigerians do not know about Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is that the governor is a man of principle that knows what it takes to win Edo state governorship election for July 12. His few years in office as governor has brought light to the Edolites.He has one of the best state cabinet in Nigeria with high profile professionals that are building the state together.Even though when the Comrade governor supported the oil subsidy removal in January this year, many Nigerian misconstrued him for taken side with the federal government.The comrade governor has injected projects like roads, hospitals , water supply and others.Though the sudden increment of Edo state university school fees elicited some strikes that almost crumbled the entire educational system in the state.The doctors were not spared too.The purpose of a servant leader as Adams Oshiomhole is to serve the people and nothing else.The Estako man has proved his political foes wrong that the former labour activist has what it takes to develop a state in Nigeria. Though several political inflammatory statements have been issued through the media to discredit his good works.The exodus of political gladiatorsdefecting from the falling almighty PDP indicated the massive failure being masterminded by the then governor of the state and his men .The era of godfatherism and cabalism is over since the assumption of the comrade governor.

It is difficult to win a sitting governor in Nigeria. Most of the sitting governors were won out of office in 2011 general elections due to inability of these unfortunate leaders to carry their people along.But Adams Oshiomhole is a calling leader of the state.Even the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Edo state ahead of the elections does not. guarantee the ticket to win Edo state. Edo people are not voting for party but the personality that represents the party. PDP as a party brought imposition and godfatherism to the state.Leadership is all about leading the people to the promised land and nothing else.Major -General Charles Airhiavbere(rtd) is the PDP candidate for the July election.Though the race to Edo state government house is not meant for feeble people but for those with strategic manifestos to convince the electorates.The leadership of the PDP in the state has been embroiled in internal rivalry and power struggle since the date for the governorship election was set by the Independent National Electoral Commission.(INEC)

For Professor Attahiru Jega , the chairman of (INEC) to summon Adams Oshiomhole and others to Abuja over the coming governorship election show that the state is being monitored against violent free election.Election must not be do or die affairs but a time to reconcile all aggrieved political parties together. But some political leaders and elders in the state have seen this season to cause trouble in the region.Some political parties on the race are ANPP, CPC,LP, SDMP, NCP and others.Only time will tell if any opposition party can take power from the ACN.The facts remains that Oshiomhole has done credible developmental strides in the state. Each local government in Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole ' s development is felt on the people.Any new comer to Edo state will see the evidence of good leadership. Even ACN is also known for unscrupulous imposition of candidates with no creditability and integrity in recent times. But ACN in Edo state is difficult to win by opposition parties unless the election is rigged by powers that be.

Again , we must give credence to the ACN for making the government answerable to the people.Let see who flies the vision of Edo state.Any candidate who does not win should not carry out violence in the state. Edo people must live as one family.All the state INEC officials, security agencies, party leaders and candidates must work hand in hand to give peace a chance in the state.Whether Oshiomhole or Charles wins the July 12 governorship election or

not, we must not take to the streets of Edo state with violence.It is our alienable right to vote for any choice candidate.The most important thing is that Edo state needs a governorship candidate with proactive mindsets of the people.Our electronic and print media must be objective in reporting electoral events not causing unnecessary tensions in the region.The so-called godfathers must mind their unguarded utterances that would not plunge the state into a civil war.Although several calculated assassinations are being observed in the state in recent times to malign the sitting governor.This is the time for the masses of Edo state to take their destinies into their hands and resist any violence.BY GODDAY ODIDI. Public Affairs Analyst. 08058124798,08063458693.20 oro street Ajegunle Apapa Lagos