By Esosa Osa
EDO State, a state blessed with talented individuals, a rich cultural heritage, historical artifacts like unique bronze, brass and ivory works of art. Its capital, Benin is one of the most ancient kingdoms known to mankind.
Indeed, people say there are only two kingdoms remaining in the world, that is Benin kingdom and United kingdom. However, in spite of all these wonderful endowments, the state has not lived up to its boundless potentials.
Unfortunately in 2008 while on its path to greater heights it was handed over to an uneducated Janus face for political leadership. Sadly, the said Chief executive of the state never truly discovered his real purpose in government, as it was all about himself and his cloudy interests.
In his first four years he exhibited betrayal skills against those that trusted him. The betrayal skills could not have been mastered by even Judas Iscariot. He used and dumped people to the extent that some would think he was a play boy. He also showcased symptoms of illiteracy.
In fact it was the first time that it appears that junior Secondary school students appeared more knowledgeable in wisdom and statecraft than their governor.
In 2012, he was handed a second chance in office . Hence any man, a truly wise man who is handed a second chance would have endeavored to right his wrongs. Unfortunately, this man failed again, the reason being wisdom and foolishness cannot co habit in the same place.
His eight years reign he showed that he should never have left the tailoring trade. But before his departure from office, during the 2012 elections, he presented the Edo people with a new candidate, Godwin Obaseki who is a very educated man. Obaseki’s plan and action was to make Edo great again, but the Janus face man had a different plan which was to keep the state in the same level he left it while controlling Obaseki and playing the role of a Godfather.
But Obaseki had a different plan. However, after their victory at the poll the Janus face decided to go on with his selfish plans but fortunately after a few years in office and learning the ropes Obaseki decided to put him in his place and rescue Edo state from the grip of a pretentious political vampire!
Fast forward to 2020 the Janus face is now trying to persuade the people of Edo state to vote for a man whom he called a thief, false pastor and an ex cultist in 2016. This is simply nothing short of an act of great desperation and cowardice.
The people of Edo state should not fall for his trap, they should support and defend a principled man like Obaseki and others who have seen the light and not people like the Janus face and his proposed candidate who want to seek power for the sake of power for personal aggrandizement and wealth accumulation. Only to then plot the destruction of each other, therefore endangering the integrity of the great and blessed Edo state and its people.
Just as any election is important, this election is very important to the people of Edo state and they need to vote for a leader that is simply focused on improving the standard of life of his people and not a leader who is immune to correction and interested in ravaging her resources thereby destroying the lives of the people of Edo state by reducing their standard of living and access to the good things of life.
The Janus face and his cohorts are so intolerant of opposing views in a manner that stifles cross fertilization of ideas that improve the growth and development of the society. For them every thing is about self promotion and self preservation. Therefore, this election is very critical to the direction of Edo state and its people. It is a defining moment of history. The people of Edo state need to vote wisely.
