I thought hard and long about this one but finally decided off an engagement with someone here last week, claiming Tinubu was a better politician than Awolowo because he became President and Awolowo didn’t. Success in politics is by many metrics and electoral success is just one of them. But that is story for another day.
Only few politicians stood out in 2024: Atiku and Obi for their opposition leadership, Ali Ndume and Abdul Ningi for their legislative opposition, Tinubu for his “Rolls Royce to Honda” misspeak, and that APC Onokpasa for his tears after Bwala’s appointment.
From the field of public political campaign however, Asue Ighodalo captured the collective imagination of our country and showed us what it means to balance professionalism with a common touch in politics.
Campaigning in the shadow of a sitting Governor is never easy but Asue shone brightly and proved himself his own man. Engagement after engagement, he came across as a man who was deeply connected with the people of Edo State, yet managing to answer questions and engage with a streak that portrayed his professional background.
He jumped on trends easily and campaigned onground beautifully, rolled up his sleeves like a man on a mission and pursued his electoral ambition with singleminded focus. His campaign even tried to sell campaign merchandise via his website – that is an innovative side in politics rarely seen around here.
With his KC, UI and LSE background on one side, Asue related smoothly and easily with voters across all strata in Edo and carried his pedigree very delicately as he responded to the diatribe of his opponents with class and focus on issues. His professional colleagues from NESG, NSIA and other associations can be proud of him.
Pulling in the Obidient crowd in Edo was a masterstroke against which even the presence of Peter Obi could do little: Asue thoroughly captured the imagination and votes of the youths of Edo State and the momentum carried strongly online across platforms, where he harnessed a very large team of PDP supporters to turn an Edo State election into a national affair. Had he been declared winner by APCNEC, I imagine how many of those young people would by now be carrying the baton forward in that beautiful state, rather than our young friends on the other side that lean towards violence and enforcement.
The solidarity of his family was also another beauty to see: from his wife to his pastor brother, Asue enjoyed home support and it was obvious.
Electoral victory is not the sole standard of political success: it simply cannot be when intellectualism reflected in policy thought, charisma, a perceptible love for the people and palpable conviction in one’s own ideals are right there in front of us. One cannot but wish Asue well in his future endeavours, starting with the Electoral Tribunal matter but excitedly also at the possibility that an opposition coalition can defeat the incumbent and give us once again the likes of Asue Ighodalo in charge of federal ministries.
For now, the electoral tribunal appears to be his focus and he has carried on with the certain calmness of a man with unshakeable confidence in the ability of fate to bring him to his place in destiny.
And true patriots of the fatherland will stand with him.
I thought hard and long about this one but the choice became all too easy once I saw it:
Asue Ighodalo is my Politician of the Year 2024 and I again hope to see more of him in Nigerian politics.