Edo 2024: I’m Nobody’s Candidate, Right Man For the Job, Says Asue Ighodalo

•Pledges to build on legacies of past governors

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Ahead of the 2024 governorship election in Edo State, a frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, yesterday, declared himself the best man to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki having worked in the background for several years.

Ighodalo, said he worked with Senator Adams Oshiomhole, when he was governor of the state from 2008 to 2016, as a member of the Economic Team, and also doing same currently for the present Governor, as Chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, an economic think-tank of the State government.

Speaking during a chat with journalists in Benin City, Edo State, the former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Plc, also described himself as a bonafide Edo citizen from Ewohimi in Edo Central, adding that he was nobody’s candidate but one  ready to bring his experience of serving as chairman of various companies to bear when he gets the nods of the electorate next year to govern the state.

The chairman of Alaghodaro Summit, said he was offering himself for service because of his desire to make Edo strong economically, noting that there were several parts of the economy that could be used to uplift the standard of living of the people and take them out of poverty.

He said Edo as the heart beat of the nation should have good infrastructure like good roads, pipe borne water, good hospitals, good schools and many others.

Admitting that it was a tough decision to leave the private sector for politics, he said he was prepared for the rigours of the job which demands integrity.

He said, “I am here to serve the state and I can say I am the best man for the job. I hear people saying I am someone’s candidate but I can tell you that I am nobody’s candidate. All I will do is to bring my experience to bear having been chairman of several top companies.

“It was a tough decision to resign from those positions. I’m coming from a comfort zone and you put all of that down to say you want to do things for your people. I have the ability to do things for many more people having done for fewer people in the corporate world.

“All of the experience and connection I have had over the years would be brought to bear. I am committed and convinced that I can do it. It looks uncertain but even if it will be certain in God’s name.

“I pledge to give youths the opportunity to serve in my government because the youths have talents to build the state. Be assured that I am fully committed to the upliftment of our state and I will give my life to ensure that.”

Ighodalo, also promised to build on the legacies of past governors who had ruled that state by looking critically at those policies formulated by them and see those still relevant to the present condition and run along with them, while those not relevant would be set aside or possibly rework on.

He said one of the major challenges in government is lack of continuity as every new government would always want to formulate new policies without recourse to its implications on the governed.

Ighodalo assured that he is going to support the Oba of Benin to ensure that the rich cultural heritage of the people of the kingdom is preserved.

While speaking on the crisis that might probably arise from his party, he said he is going to bring his wealth of corporate experiences into focus.

The governorship hopeful said while in the corporate world, he was able to unify several organisations adding that unifying the aggrieved members of the party will not be a challenge to him.

He said people should be able to ask other aspirants what have been their track records over the years, stressing that, before anyone could come out to say he wants to govern the state, he should be able to state his antecedents.