With about six days to the governorship election in Edo State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki’s chances brightened last night, after he gave a good account of himself in a televised debate by candidates.
Three other candidates – Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osaro Onaiwu of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Amos Areleogbe, Labour Party (LP) – fielded questions from a team of Channels Television interviewers.
The debate was organized by Channels TV in collaboration with an NGO, Enough Is Enough (EiE).
Some respondents, who watched the 90-minute debate, rated Obaseki ahead in the way he spoke on the economy; how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in four years.
A student of the University of Benin, Joy Iredia, 21, said: “Until now, I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation”.
A civil servant, Mr. Osahon Bello, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service for efficiency and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”
Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years, who chairs the Edo Economic Management Team in the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration, said the economic challenges confronting the nation today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems, to lead the state on the path to prosperity.
Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate said: “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems”.
He assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government.
