Edo State gubernatorial candidate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, alias AI, has unveiled his strategic vision and insights on driving sustainable development and progress in the state.
A fund-raising dinner, organised by Corporate Nigeria for AI, comprising investment bankers, investment financiers, infrastructure financiers, capital market dealers, legal practitioners and private sector leaders within and outside Edo, at the weekend in Lagos, presented Ighodalo the opportunity to unveil his plans for the state themed ‘Pathway to Prosperity for All.’
Ighodalo, one of corporate Nigeria’s finest and distinguished lawyers, says he’s stepping into the political foray to convert his great ideas into transformative action for the people of Edo.
As governor, Ighodalo’s capacity, global networks and proven track record will be at play as he unlocks the people’s rich potential and transforms latent talents into valuable assets.
He believes that despite the state’s rich heritage, it has faced numerous challenges throughout its history, with the advent of democracy contributing to several efforts to restore its glory.
Ighodalo disclosed his desire to consolidate on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s transformative policies in education, healthcare, agriculture and other key sectors of the economy.
For instance, Obaseki’s Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation programme, codenamed EdoBEST, which revamped the educational sector, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, resulted in Edo consistently ranking second and third places when it comes to basic education in Nigeria.
The health sector under Obaseki is getting a significant boost, with fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centres, reconstruction and accreditation of Edo School of Nursing, Science and Midwifery, telemedicine partnerships with the Diaspora, and the launch of Edo State Health Insurance Scheme.
The nearly eight years of the Obaseki administration in Edo recorded significant milestones in agriculture, economy, civil service and Edo Master Plan and contributions to the people’s welfare.
The Alagodaro Summit was created to enable stakeholders dialogue problems facing the state, and boost economic prosperity for the people.
Despite the great works of the Obaseki era, Ighodalo says the potential of Edo has not been fully tapped. He promised to solidify these initiatives and advance the state into immeasurable prosperity.
“Given the enormous social and macro-economic challenges we face in Nigeria today, we cannot afford to gamble with our collective future and the destiny of our children by electing leadership that is incapable of addressing key developmental challenges with competence and vision,” he said.
Ighodalo provided a detailed plan of action to achieve a prosperous future that honours the state’s rich heritage and actualises its full potential.
The Ighodalo prosperity agenda focuses on security, law and order as foundation for prosperity through police support, use of technology and value restoration; ensuring wellbeing for the people through job creation and provision of social amenities; economic growth through industrialisation and harnessing natural resources.
He promised that his administration would also focus on good governance through transparency and accountability in public finances and protection of the environment.
For the guber hopeful, the achievement of full state and local government policing, provision of food banks, promotion of made-in-Edo products, boosting Internally Generated Revenue and ensuring clean and healthy environment, among others, will define his tenure as Edo governor.
He promised to support the elderly, women’s rights, youths and students, children, traditional rulers, civil servants, farmers, teachers and other stakeholders of the state.
Even before now, the gubernatorial candidate has always supported Edo communities through the provision of social amenities like power, road construction, award of scholarship to students, widows support, medical outreaches, and support for the less-privileged in the state.
He aims to build a more prosperous, just and sustainable Edo that empowers every individual with the opportunity to contribute positively to the common goals.
In his opening speech, the Group Chief Executive Officer, EverCorp Industries, Eric Idiahi, described Corporate Nigeria for AI as comprising forward-thinking leaders who understand the critical role Corporate Nigeria should play in addressing the challenges of the nation.
According to him, the future of Edo and Nigeria depends on leadership that not only recognises but actively engages with the private sector as a partner in progress.
“Our businesses are more than just economic engines. They are essential to solving the complex problems we face from fostering sustainable development, creating jobs and driving innovation,” Idiahi said.
“What unites the members of the group is the belief in Ighodalo’s leadership and understanding that good governance in any part of Nigeria has a ripple effect on the entire nation. Ighodalo is not just another candidate, but a leader who embodies integrity, humility and a deep commitment to public service.
“With decades of experience in law, finance, boardroom and public service, Ighodalo has demonstrated a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of Edo. But more than his impressive resume, his passion for people is evident in every aspect of his life and work. He will continue from where Obaseki stopped, and take it further.”
Others spoke of his generosity, hard work, commitment to excellence, result-driven potential, commitment to long-term friendship and courage.
Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, described his significant other as, “The most amazing heart I have ever met. He has overwhelming passion and love for people. He doesn’t have to know you. He doesn’t see class. Everybody is the same to him. He will do for the lowest as he would do for the highest. He gives and he keeps giving.”
The guber candidate, she added, applies his heart in whatever he does and has great commitment to supporting women and the youths.
“He wants the best for everyone. I am not allowed to say this, because I am his wife. But I agree that my people of Edo will be blessed to have Ighodalo at the helm of affairs. I should stop here, but I am going to add, to continue the very good work Obaseki and his wife have been doing in Edo. The transformation has been amazing,” she said.
On his part, Governor Obaseki thanked Corporate Nigeria for AI for coming out to support the campaign.
He said, “This is to thank you very much for coming out tonight to support your own. Ighodalo will be a good governor. You know, he will perform as a governor, because he not only has the experience in terms of governance and building businesses. He has been part of the Edo project from the beginning, since 2006. So, he understands where we have been and how we got to where we are today.”
The governor appealed to the participants to help in raising funds required to support the Ighodalo campaign. He said funds would be required to cover election logistics, and ensure that party agents were mobilised to do their work effectively on election day.
Some Ighodalo die-hards at the event dared fifth columnists in the PDP and the politicians threatening to put fire in some PDP states to try Edo and meet their albatross.
“We dare PDP ‘unfaithfuls’ and saboteurs, who play chess with the party, to try Edo and see what fire does with the ear of a stubborn rat. Edo is not like any other South South state that can be used to trade political favours. They are doing it in Rivers and they have planted their relations to superintend over the Edo election, but we are here for them,” one of the participants said.
Another participant noted that Edo people “cannot trust” the party that wanted to take the state by crook after Obaseki’s first term, by trying to pull the rug off his feet, with the welfare of the Heartbeat of the Nation.
Ighodalo thanked the group for its support and kind gesture, urging them to support his campaign with funds.
He said although he contributed significantly to the growth of the private sector, winning the Edo gubernatorial election would give him a greater opportunity to impact over 5.2m lives.
He encouraged private sector operators to come up for elections, or support capable hands, to help steer the ship of governance across different levels of governance to greatness.
The guber hopeful said, “Our country is not going anywhere if we sit on the fence. We need to find the courage and funds to step in and drive governance.
“Governor Obaseki has laid a good foundation in Edo, attracting $5.2bn to the state. It will be sad to allow someone that will take the state 50 years back to succeed him. I need your financial support to stop that from happening and to sustain the great works done by the present administration in Edo.”