Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Edo, has pledged to overhaul the state’s social and economic landscape, aiming to establish it as a benchmark for effective governance and the delivery of democratic benefits among Nigeria’s 36 states. His priorities include immediate measures for poverty alleviation, enhancing security, and advancing the agricultural and marine sectors.
During a meeting with editors in Lagos, Ighodalo emphasized that the PDP is committed to ensuring that every vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election on September 21 is counted, advocating for a fair electoral environment provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the relevant security agencies.
In presenting his manifesto, titled “The Pathway to Prosperity for All,” Ighodalo outlined his intention to empower farmers directly through substantial financial support, aimed at increasing the production of staple crops like rice and maize for local consumption and industrial supply. He criticized the previous monthly expenditure of N1 billion on palliatives, arguing that it failed to benefit Edo farmers.
Ighodalo also highlighted the importance of cashew nuts, palm oil, and rubber production as key agricultural sectors that would receive government focus in the medium to long term. He expressed concern over the alarming levels of poverty revealed during his campaign across the 18 local government areas, vowing to address the economic hardships immediately upon taking office. “We cannot allow the current poverty levels to persist; our resilience may falter,” he stated, promising to reshape socio-economic development from the grassroots up to improve citizens’ quality of life and security.
On the issue of security, Ighodalo committed to implementing effective strategies to combat insecurity in Edo, including equipping the Nigeria Police Force with modern tools, operational vehicles, and necessary incentives for officers to enhance their effectiveness. He believes that establishing a safe environment will change the negative perception held by Edo indigenes living abroad, who currently feel unsafe returning home, thus encouraging them to invest in the state and promote its tourism and cultural heritage.
Ighodalo aims to create a robust economy with a target of N100 billion monthly, planning to develop three economic zones within the state to facilitate this goal. He stressed the need for a supportive environment for private sector involvement, emphasizing respect for entrepreneurs, security, skilled workforce, governance transparency, and consistent policies to attract significant private investment—pointing out that there is a staggering $50 billion in idle funds globally that can be tapped into.
He aspires to elevate Edo to a first-world status reminiscent of the economic strides made during Nigeria’s first republic, where the Western and Eastern Regions led the way in development.
In response to inquiries, Ighodalo acknowledged the media’s vital role in fairly informing the public and ensuring accurate coverage of all candidates leading up to the governorship election. He assured that the PDP would utilize all legitimate avenues to safeguard its votes during the election.
