Edo 2024: Of a Sleeping Candidate, No man Can Wake.
By Benjamin Atu
As vibrant as John F. Kennedy was in his campaign for American president, Nixon’s attack on Kennedy’s softness was harsh simply because he dozed off. But here comes a candidate in the Edo Governorship election who is perpetually at sleep. Never having a vibrant moment, but always at the lowest ebb. No one wakes a sleeping candidate at this time.
Like John Fitzgerald Kennedy who was people oriented, I feel the PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo is just the same. His intelligence and courage elicit emotions from the crowds which flows back to him, sustain and strengthen him.
Since the inception of democracy in 1999 till date, I don’t think anyone in the recent electoral history of Edo Politics has had the same vital relationship with crowds like Dr. Asue Ighodalo whom Followers followed voluntarily. Like Benjamin Franklin, the people are willing to invest their time and resources to see him succeed just because they believe their collective dream can better be achieved and sustain by his becoming the next Governor.
Dr. Asue Ighodalo has an exceptional Degree, the gift of friendship and, in consequence, a great diversity of friends; part of his gift is to give each of his friends the inspirational comfort that he alone has a clue to our collective challenges. He started his Governorship race by breaking down all barriers and win full acceptance to himself. His business success also helped him.
For the opposition Candidate who will help us in waking a sleeping candidate? “Arise, thou that sleepest.” It was a biblical command, but I believe the APC candidate did not find that scripture.
I also tried to look for certain qualities about him that I can X-ray when drawing my comparative analysis. I have not yet found the right words.
Today, like never before, the opposition candidate in Edo State himself knows that the tide is against him but as David, he is expected to encourage himself, after all, courage can be defined as being the only one who knows you are afraid. I know and others also knows that the opposition Candidate is afraid but has hidden his timidity from the crowds to give them false hope, but of a truth APC candidate has long stepped out of the Edo Guber race mentally. Like a camel you can force them to the stream but can’t have them to drink your water. A man can’t give what he doesn’t have.
Those who forced their party ticket on a man who was never prepared for the Governorship race are the Angels whom God has placed in position to make Asue Ighodalo’s journey an easy one because if a man’s way pleases the Lord, he will make his enemies to be at peace with him. It is no surprise that APC members makes up the majority of Ighodalo’s supporters. Wherever the spirit of God is, there is liberty.
“In a nation where intelligent Governors are finding it difficult to govern their States, we can’t handover Edo State to a man that will double our trouble. Where shall we go if we commit our State in the hands of a man who have no say in his own game? It’s only in the city of the blind that one eye man can be the king. Not in a city like Edo, where some people have twelve eyes, others have eight, some have four, and only a few, like us, have two. So, why should a sleeping candidate with one eye be king? If the righteous shall scarcely be save where shall the ungodly be?” Bible asked once.
Benjamin Atu is a Broadcaster,
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Etsako East local Government Council.
cpsetsakoeast@gmail.com
09015229917
