By Chris Ojeikere
Activities of the Edo State PDP Campaigns would interest students of Political Science, politicians, and political
actors as well. It is moving from regular political activities and rituals to a symmetrical symphony of quality strategy and quality delivery. The narrative is somewhat as follows.
First, we see a novel breath of fresh air that is unprecedented in our political campaign module. A Dr Asue Ighodalo strolls into the arena in Esan land, unaccompanied by the traditional retinue of bogus political weights and paraphernalia from the Centre, nor by the State Governor himself who is the Leader of his Party. Slow Engines – young antelopes politicians, quickly misinterpret this be a grave political error and miscalculation, instead of the superior strategy that it truly was. The young antelopes got themselves into very ‘high’ spirits and were sure they were going to run Asue Ighodalo out of town by spewing some political inanities. Convinced they have delivered a master stroke, they
went about dancing themselves lame, when the real dance was yet to begin! (apologies Achebe).
In the frenzy of their delusion, they said repeatedly in drunken slurs:’ let Governor Obaseki dare go out with Asue Ighodalo, if Edo people will not stone him’. Funny lot! You wonder how they reach their conclusions! Anyway, with recent verbal misadventure we don’t have to look too far away anymore!
Let’s return to our narrative. So, Asue Ighodalo, a man who is himself a maverick , a comprehensive cosmopolitan content of ideas,
revved up his solitary campaign; selling his ideas, bonding with the people, cutting out a visible and unique identity for himself so dynamically that it became inevitable that the alias: ” Man Wei Sabi” would emerge and stick indelibly. I won’t bore you with all the other details. We are all witnesses of the several events marking this highly dynamic Edo2024 Campaigns.
So, fast forward to last week! Guess what? Governor Obaseki shows up on the podium of the Asue Ighodalo’s Campaign to participate in the Flag off! And, true enough enough Obaseki was stoned!
The crowd stoned him and Mrs Obaseki with momentous applause, cheers and hailing!
That crowd was unprecedented in the annals of our political history! The Campaign tone itself was again, irregular in tune and procedures: it was doubtful that it wasn’t more of a victory fiesta than it was a political plea for votes! At least, it became a blend of both! The temptation to sing ‘”Ofone” and go home was only resisted by PDP’S disciplinary self control!
What an electrifying moment! Such feeling of achievement! Yeah, of success! Such positive energy!
What could be responsible for all of these irrepressible feeling of Victory, of joy and of ecstasy from the crowd? I became curious!
Then I looked at the podium ! Ah! There it was! Starring me in the face! Quality was transiting to Quality for the first time in Edo State regime transition! Just take a roll call of the podium: PDD State Party Chairman, a cerebral academic, a PhD holder. Edo State Governor, a superlative digital Technocrat of no mean standards. PDP candidate, simply : ” Man Wei Sabi!” Brain Box, AI. PDP Deputy candidate, an Esquire! and a seasoned bureaucrat, political deity! Then we come to wives! Mrs Betsy Obaseki, multiple Masters degree holder, a first rate professional. Mrs Asue Ighodalo, pragmatic Accountant and top of the chart entrepreneur. So, yes. There it was! The strategy is clear! Obaseki can now go around with Asue Ighodalo. We now know one from the other. We now know that Quality Obaseki is transmitting the government of Edo State, which he heads to Quality Asue Ighodalo, who is the Man Wei Sabi! We also know that Quality First Lady Betsy Obaseki is making way for Quality Ifeyinwa Ighodalo! What a time to be an Edolite!
I would have stopped there, but the temptation to look at the other podium couldn’t be resisted. I searched well, but sorry to report, that I couldn’t see anyone among them, that I could swear to it, that he has a university degree. From the State Chairman, through their candidate to the elder sware – man, sorry, spokesman to…etc!
Edo people, I think the difference is CLEAR!