As 2024 knocks, for us in Edo State, it is not going to be just another year. It is an off-cycle election year for governor of a state that’s so endowed, it is bigger than over 60 countries by land size, and by population.
What is puzzling though is that it boasts very little of the accomplishments of these entities which are far less endowed. In my interrogation of what it is that’s responsible for the wide disparity in achievements, it was apparent that of all the reasons one could adduce, one particular reason stood out glaringly—a Mindset.
Countries and states are not much different from individuals in their respective approaches to similar situations. Take the example of Indonesia versus Nigeria. Whilst both countries are regarded as developing economies, we are actually not mates. Indonesia has a Foreign Reserve balance of $119 billion. Nigeria is struggling at less than $36 billion.
Or, do we want to look at Israel with a population of 9 million in a land area of less than 30,000 sq km, and 20 percent arable land scoring in the big leagues with a Foreign Reserve of over $200 billion?
We may be going too far, comparing countries. Let’s come closer to home to see what has happened within. This is where I believe, perspective is very important. Only a few days ago, I was reading a document—Abia State budget, 2024. I was blown away. Think about this for a moment. A former banker comes to town to contest. The political class screamed “outsider.” He persisted.
In 2023, he wins and becomes governor. It may be too early to judge but it is easy to see a progressive out-of-the-box mindset at work versus an Entitlement Mentality. Not only is he projecting a budget more than three times the size of his predecessor’s last budget, his Capital expenditure outlay is 84 percent versus 52 percent in the last administration. Figure that out — same land, same people, same political class, different thinking.
Like country, like states, like individuals. Let’s bring this analogy to the granular level with real, live and verifiable anecdotes. It is no longer a story that the political class hates Governor Obaseki despite his numerous people-centered policies.
Let me tell you a story. Upon winning in 2016, he gathered the political class and gave them a proposition: “I have seed for you.”
This was not the kind of music they were used to hearing. In previous administrations, the political class had been spoiled by the ogas who shared ‘Ghana must go.”
Whereas, the day Obaseki was pronounced Governor-elect, he made clear to everyone gathered at the celebration party that his government would not be sharing money. Many who still sing the praises of the previous administrations will tell you only stories of sharing of our common patrimony. In all those years, one never heard a story about “Seed.”
“What is this seed,” they asked?
The Governor replied “I will allocate hectares of land to those of you who are interested in becoming Agricultural entrepreneurs. I will also give you seed capital to start. I will not stop there. I will get a loan from a foreign entity to give you soft loans on top of it. I will not stop there. I will clear the land for you.” There was silence. You could have heard a pin drop.
And then, the people started to whisper amongst themselves. “This man wants to turn all of us into farmers while he is enjoying siren and air conditioner.”
That was the beginning of Obaseki’s problems with the political class. The man had satisfied his conscience. Now, hear this first hand information. Of all those who agreed to take the governor’s offer, he gave them land and gave them money and opened up the land for them. All the women who took the offer are doing very well and are employing hundreds of people in their agricultural enterprises. In fact, one of those women is said to be the biggest distributor of eggs in Edo State today, and she is now a multimillionaire.
What happened to the men? All the men ate their seed and many had the guts to go back to the governor to ask him for more money. The governor did not mince words in telling them. This is the genesis of the cry for a homeboy as next Governor of Edo State.
The governor’s plan was to use this first group as Pilot Project before rolling it out statewide for the rest of the people but homeboys failed the people and failed the governor. The governor did not fail them.
Here’s the conclusion of the matter. If an idle political class that leeches on the people is what the people want, then, the people will get leeches for the next four years.
If however, the people want a government that will take them from N48 billion IGR to N1 trillion IGR in four years; if the people want a Governor who will create wealth at the grassroots level, not just for the political class but also for the entire people of Edo State in every village and every local government across the state; if the people want an Agricultural Development plan that will create 300,000 Agricultural entrepreneurs and 3 million jobs in factories that will process the agricultural products over 4 years; if the people want a governor who will build 500 miles of railroad linking the agricultural belt of Edo State from Edo South to Edo Central to Edo North; if the people want a governor who will build primary healthcare and put mammogram machines in all major markets to take care of our women; if the people want a governor who will build new schools, rebuild old schools, hire well trained teachers and hand schools back to missionaries and former owners; if the people want a Computer Lab in every village; if the people want a governor who will build roads, roads, and solid roads everywhere; if the people want a governor who will give us 24/hour electricity and turn Edo into a place like Europe or America; then, the people know where they must look.
This job pass homeboy level. The people must look to the Man wey Sabi. Sorry guys, the train has left the station. Everybody must work for their money. People of Edo State, I beg make una look this matter well, well. I talk lie?
Michael Ovienmhada.
omeekey@hotmail.com
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Gubernatorial aspirant
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