By Justin Akhere Osehon
Expectedly, the Dr Asue Ighodalo-Osarodion Ogie ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September Governorship Election in Edo State has been getting rave reviews and comments in the last 10 days. All positive. This, of course, comes as no surprise.
A quick look at the PDP ticket shows that the Ighodalo-Ogie combination is the best by far of all the tickets lined up for the contest ahead.
Sentiments apart, this is the dream team, this is the people’s team and, in fact, an unbeatable team. The duo of Ighodalo and Ogie as a team for the September governorship election has been described as God’s gift to the good people of Edo State.
Ighodalo, the PDP flagbearer, has carved a niche for himself “through solid personal achievements,” ( as Chinua Achebe would describe such in his enduring work, Things Fall Apart). He is not only a boardroom guru, but also a legal titan, an administrative genius with verifiable track records and a man of impeccable character. All, qualities that are glaringly absent and generally lacking in other contenders.
Ighodalo comes across as the darling of everyone. His level of humility is so disarming and tops it with plenty of charisma and awesome magnetic aura of friendliness.
And, notwithstanding his enviable pedigree and global citizen’s status with far flung contacts and reach, a family background that speaks volumes, Ighodalo mixes freely and conducts himself without airs.
One can confidently say, without fear of contradiction, that the PDP ticket transcends parochial or narrow political considerations that are designed to massage and assuage political egos of individuals. It is a ticket that speaks rather to the urgent need for world class competence, visionary leadership that is at the same time passionate and sufficiently exposed with a rich network of connections in a globalized world economy.
The PDP ticket of Ighodalo and Ogie satisfies the people’s yarning for political balance, grassroots connection, people-centric consideration and a leadership that inspires hope. The London School of Economics (LSE) trained Ighodalo, who hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area, is a household name in Edo State and beyond. Alongside with Femi Olubanwo, he co-founded the popular Banwo & Ighodalo, a corporate and commercial law firm specializing in advising major corporations on Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Energy & Natural Resources, Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking & Securitization and Project Finance.
Ighodalo’s passion for the growth and development of Edo State can best be appreciated when considered against the backdrop of the immense role he has been playing in the past years in Alaghodaro, a private sector driven initiative designed to fast track the growth and development of the state.
Ighodalo, former Chairman on the boards of many blue chip companies, has been adjudged by independent observers as the man who will simply go in as a round peg in a round hole. He will not be a learner on the job, a very crucial point that Edolites must take note of. It must be emphasised that none among the candidates comes close to him. Ighodalo has been eloquently described as “a man that is profoundly more competent, capable, credible and proven in private and public life than any other candidate in the contest” by no other than the well-known member of the Obidient Movement and social crusader, Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
On his part, Ogie, popularly called the Oxygen or O2 in political circles in the state, is also a lawyer of many years. Ogie has been described as one of Edo’s most refined and consummate politicians, a seasoned administrator and a brilliant policy developer and renowned strategist.
He commands a huge and silent followership from all walks of life state-wide, especially youths and has to his credit towering records of electoral victories in his Ikpoba-Okha area of Edo South.
With Ighodalo-Ogie on the ballot, Edolites have a ready-made choice in the PDP candidates.
Osehon, a public affairs analyst, writes from Benin City.
