EDO DECIDE: Between GO and POI

My Dear Friends,
These are my thoughts on the Sept. 10, 2016 Edo state gubernatorial election. Democracy is based on choice. Luckily, we have two major political parties in Nigeria, the PDP and the APC. The choice for us in Edo state is between the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (POI) and Mr Godwin Obaseki (GO), the APC candidate. A lot has been said about the performances of both political parties when the state was under their respective watch. However, none of the candidates was at the helm of affairs when their respective political parties governed the state. While POI was Secretary to the government when Lucky Igbinedion was Governor, GO is the Head of the state Economic team in the tenure of Oshiomhole. We cannot honestly rate the ability of both gubernatorial candidates based on the performance of the Governors they respectively served because, the buck stops on the table of
each respective Governor. That notwithstanding, we can assess the merits of each of the gubernatorial candidates based on their competence and ability to improve on the welfare of the citizens of Edo state. By my own assessment, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has demonstrated by far a leadership competence in the current campaign. Not only has he committed himself to his "Simple Agenda" manifesto but has publicly proclaimed that he should be held responsible if he defaults. Except for Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, I cannot remember any Nigerian Politician that has been bold enough to unequivocally put his political career on the line. I am proud of Pastor Ize-Iyamu because he has displayed the motto of his Alma Mater, "Knowledge for Service" I have no doubt whatsoever that he will fulfill his "Simple Agenda" manifesto. He has my full endorsement for election as Governor of Edo state.....Prof Patrick Uadia