Featured, Politics
By Christabel Ejenike
THE countdown to the Edo governorship election has just started with 17 candidates from 17 political parties contesting for the post of the governor of Edo State in the election scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024.
Already, INEC has confirmed that 17 political parties fielded candidates for the election.
However, the candidates of three political parties, the All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, LP, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are seen as the frontrunners for the election. The candidates are Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC, Olumide Akpata of the LP and Asue Ighodalo of the PDP.
According to the profiles of the frontrunners, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC is a serving senator and a businessman. Born on August 29, 1970 in Udomi-Uwessan Community of Irrua. However, there are controversies surrounding his educational qualifications, but the Vanguard report said that “Okpebholo has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from University of Ibadan and other certificates in Legislative Studies and Management.
Okpebholo’s manifesto tagged Manifesto of Renewed Hope focuses on five-point agenda – Security, Infrastructural development, Education, Agriculture and Provision of potable water.
The candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo is a lawyer and hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan South East LGA of Edo State. Asue’s campaign manifesto is tagged “Pathway to Prosperity for All” and focuses on creating an Edo State that is prosperous, inclusive, just and poised for economic growth, united in its diversity, and abundant in opportunities for all. His manifesto also highlights the pathway to security, women and youth development, education, agriculture and food security, and rural and community development among others.
Ighodalo is a businessman and entrepreneur. He is also the Chairman of the Board of directors of Sterling Bank Plc, founder of Asue Ighodalo Foundation, which is focused on education, healthcare and economic empowerment. Through his foundation, he has supported various initiatives, including: Education: Scholarships and infrastructural developments in schools, Healthcare, Support for healthcare facilities and medical research, Economic Empowerment: Entrepreneurship training and funding for small businesses.
The LP’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, is a legal practitioner and politician. He was a senior partner and the Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars Law Firm in Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from University of Benin, Edo state and was called to the Bar in 1993. He was Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law. During his tenure as the NBA chairman the NBA witnessed significant reforms, including the introduction of technology in legal processes, which increased efficiency and transparency.
Akpata’s manifesto focuses on sustainable development and job creation, particularly through the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, which is appealing to various demographics, especially the youth and business communities.
Akpata is not new to the leadership game as he was the first non Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 28 years to be elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association in July 2020. In September 2023, he hosted the programme “KingsWeek 2023” with the Old Boys Association of King’s College, Lagos. Akpata is currently a senior partner and Head of the Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of Templars.
5th September, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: All Progressives Congress APC INEC Labour Party LP PDP Peoples Democratic Party
