In a highly anticipated governorship debate held on Friday, 9th August 2024, at the Unuedo Renaissance event in Ikeja, Lagos, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, delivered a stellar performance that left the audience and political analysts in awe.
The impromptu debate, originally scheduled as a Town Hall engagement, was meant to feature three candidates. However, only Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party were present, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was conspicuously absent, drawing sharp criticism from the event organisers.
Ighodalo, a seasoned professional with a strong track record in both public and private sectors, dominated the debate with his articulate and well-informed responses. He presented a comprehensive vision for Edo State, emphasising his plans for economic advancement, job creation, infrastructural development, and improving access to quality education and healthcare – all articulated in his manifesto, “Pathway To Prosperity for All”.
Ighodalo’s preparedness, deep understanding of the issues facing the state, and clear strategies for addressing them resonated with the audience, many of whom expressed confidence in his ability to lead the state forward. He alluded to the Edo State GDP growth from $10Bn to over $26Bn in the last 7 years and promised that his primary focus on improving security in the state would lay the foundation to attract more local and foreign direct investments.
Throughout the debate, Akpata found himself in agreement with much of Ighodalo’s proposals, often conceding to the superiority of the PDP candidate’s ideas. This alignment further highlighted Ighodalo’s expertise and the strength of his policies, turning the debate into a platform for showcasing the PDP candidate’s vision.
The absence of Okpebholo was a significant talking point, with organisers expressing their disappointment at his no-show, which they saw as a disregard for the electorate and the democratic process. One of the Unuedo organisers opined that “debates and discussions are essential ingredients of the democratic soup, his absence here suggests he either holds himself above being accountable to the people he intends to lead, or shows his utter unpreparedness for the job he is applying for”.
While opinions on the debate’s outcome may vary, the strong performance of Asue Ighodalo undoubtedly captured the attention of many, making him a formidable contender in the upcoming Edo State governorship elections, slated for 21st September 2024.
The UNUEDO Renaissance is a Pan Edo socio-cultural organisation of Edo people resident in Edo state and the diaspora.