Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has emphasized the need for capable leadership in the state, stating that he cannot hand over to an “unintelligent person.”
This remark came during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, where Obaseki campaigned for Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s candidate for the upcoming September 21 gubernatorial election.
Speaking passionately, Obaseki said that his administration’s achievements in education, agriculture, technology, and health must not be derailed by handing power to an inexperienced or incompetent leader.
“We can’t hand over EdoBEST to unintelligent people,” Obaseki declared, referring to the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme, a flagship initiative of his administration.
Obaseki has made it clear that his support for Ighodalo is based on his belief in Ighodalo’s competence and intelligence.
He described Ighodalo as a leader capable of continuing the good governance Edo State has experienced under his administration.
Obaseki expressed concern that allowing an incompetent individual to take the reins would undo the progress the state has made.
“These gains and successes would be derailed if left in the hands of an unintelligent, inexperienced or incompetent person whose only aim in power is to share the common patrimony of the people among the political class,” Obaseki said.
He dismissed other candidates as “push-and-start” options, insisting that Edo State needs steady, capable hands to navigate the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
“We have started building a polytechnic for our people here in Akoko-Edo Local Government, and Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie will continue with the work when I leave office,” he said.
Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, also used the campaign platform to call for a credible and transparent election process.
He appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the polls are free, fair, and devoid of any form of manipulation.
He expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles.
“President Tinubu has said he will support free, fair, and credible elections as he is a democrat that believes in the credible process,” Ighodalo remarked.
However, he added that his party, the PDP, would stand guard to prevent any electoral malpractice from the opposition.
