By George Etakibuebu

Ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial contest in Edo State, one thing has become crystal clear — Dr Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is by far the clear preference of the people for the topmost job.

And a lawmaker in the state, the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Charity Aiguobarueghian, representing Ovia North East 1, during a recent chat with newsmen in Benin City, aptly described him as “na fine pikin wey everybody wan carry.”

Ever since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the public campaign officially open on April 23, all the 18 participating parties have been digging deep into their bags of strategies to emerge victorious.

And without sounding immodest, Ighodalo of the ruling PDP in the state, blasted off the starting block like a rocket bound for stars and has since positioned himself as the clear leader and the candidate to beat.

He is well ahead of others in terms of visibility, acceptability and preparedness for the job. His pedigree, competence, capacity, experience, contacts, compassion and exposure are all said to be A-rated.

This popularity and acceptance by the generality of the people has, however, come with a cost. He has become the focus and target of brutal and malicious campaigns. All sorts of dirty and incredible concoctions are daily cooked and churned out from the diabolically fertile minds of the opposition, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hardly a day passes without the APC, which is parading an uninspiring, dour and largely unpopular candidate, throwing shades at Ighodalo. The APC New Media Team has singled him out, devoting a substantial amount of time, energy and resources to attacking him by peddling outlandish lies and propaganda against him. But to their eternal chagrin, the more they try, the more popular Ighodalo gets across the state’s political ecosystem.

Apart from the unveiling of his now much sought after manifesto, he’s been practically everywhere like the telecommunications giant, MTN —engaging, interacting and listening to the people via different forums.

He’s been to Europe to engage the critical Edo Diaspora Communities; he’s been holding Town Hall meetings; storming markets; being special guest of professional bodies and recently been on campaign trails across the state in a well mapped out Ward to Ward arrangement.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Aibiokunla Ward, Oza, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, who doubles as the Director-General General, Edo Liaison Office Abuja, Dcn. Festus Osagie Osaigbovo, last week predicted victory for Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq, in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

Addressing newsmen at the Aibiokunla Ward Campaign Rally when the PDP governorship campaign team visited the ward on Wednesday, 31st July 2024 at Oza primary school, Ossigbovo said Ighodalo is a man that has been accepted by not just the people of Aibiokunla but the entire Edo State, and the people are ready to go out en masse to rally support and vote him into power come September 21st.

He described Ighodalo as a peaceful leader and business man, who will change the narratives in governance when elected into office as Governor of Edo State.

“As a man from the business and financial sector, Ighodalo will promote entrepreneurship and the business sector in Edo State. Truly, his reign as Governor will mark a turning point in the business sector and the economy of Edo State” Dcn. Osaigbovo said. And this is just one of the thousands who hold a similar view. Indeed, Ighodalo na fine pikin wey everybody wan carry.

…Etakibuebu, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Benin City.