An Eagle Figure Is Needed As The Next Governor Of Edo State : Not A Prattling Parrot 

An Eagle Figure Is Needed As The Next Governor Of Edo State : Not A Prattling Parrot

By Patrick Biose ESQ

The eagle is full of beauty and strength, full of grace, with the highest soaring speed and super sight intelligence that could spot an object from about 30-kilometers away. Amongst other birds, the eagle is the champion of the airspace. Yet, we can hardly describe the sound of an eagle. But virtually all of us can even mimic the sounds of an average parrot and other “*talkative birds*” of low grades and low capacities, but which are well known for noise making.

It is long settled axiom that the test of literacy and true intelligence is not in the ability of a person to speak English language or speak any particular language for that matter. But it lies in one’s ability to think creatively, take informed decisions, solve and prevent problems with minimal cost. Proficiency and eloquence in speaking any language can be acquired through association, and not necessarily by formal education.

By Senator Monday Okpebholo’s nature, he is *an Introvert*. A very humble, but truly calm and calculated personality who is not disposed to talking too much. An average introvert is a naturally shy and reserved person, and that is exactly who the Senator is. He is not a noise maker. But a calm and calculated goal getter with aura of  humility, and intellectually loaded with transformative policy ideas that will reposition Edo State across all the sectors. He is already communicating his manifesto to the general public and the electorates through his campaign messages at rallies, through flyers, billboards, through social and mainstream media platforms.

When *a stammering* or *an introvert* person is quiet or not talking eloquently and oraciously, that is not to say that he is empty or bereft of ideas. It does not render him incapable of articulating or performing his policy vision. He is simply not naturally disposed to talking. Rather, he believes in expressing his vision both in writing, and practically demonstrating them through informed policy actions. This is exactly what Senator Monday Okpebholo represents. As a very humble man that he is, the Senator is going about his campaign in his own style without violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and those of the Electoral Act, and without decending into any form of pettiness. He is eminently qualified within the parameters of law for the office of a Governor.

It is therefore mischievous and a display of lazy campaign for members of opposition parties to be challenging a known and reserved introvert or a stammerer to a public debate. After all, debate has never been a conclusive proof of one’s ability to lead, or a proof competence to govern well. Talk they say: “is cheap”! Debates does not bring about good governance, neither does it form a part of the legally or administratively prescribed duties of a State governor. 

The fact that Senator Monday Okpebholo is a serving Senator, and he is currently the Chairman *Senate Committee on Public Procurement* at the National Assembly speaks volume of his high intellectual content and administrative competence. Though he isn’t amongst the very vocal voices at the Senate, but he is a Principal Member up there, and he is equally doing exceptionally well both at the National Assembly, and back home in his Edo Central Senatorial District. How else can we say that it is about content and proven competence, and not about speaking English language and making too much noise??

Beyond satisfying the Constitutionally prescribed academic qualification, Senator Monday Okpebholo has been on ground with Edo people. He feels the pains of our people, and understands the geographic terrain and the economic demography of our dear State. In his 5-Points Program Agenda for Edo State as Governor, he has outlined a realistic and realizable blueprint of sectoral  development strategy that will create wealth for Edo people.

Not the MoU programs of Godwin Obaseki/PDP that drained the wealth of Edo State into the hands of strangers through (Capital Flight) which Asue Ighodalo is now desperate to continue with. But God forbid!!

Let us not be deceived or be fooled by the glittering mirraj of English grammar and phonology being littered all over the places by the PDP and their *emergency Edo man* candidate call Asue Ighodalo. He has nothing good to offer us, because he knows nothing about our needs and challenges in Edo State. Their main agenda is to imperialise Edo people, treat our State as if it is their farmland, cart away our resources with them back to where they came from, and leave Edo State in deeper poverty.

We can see that despite his “towering CV” and all the  opportunities the English grammar speaking Asue Ighodalo of PDP has enjoyed in Nigeria, he has not made any contribution to the progress of Edo State in any way. Nothing was known or heard about that name until recently when he was suddenly imported by Godwin Obaseki who imposed him on PDP as candidate. As it is obvious, he is a stranger to Edo polity, a stranger to Edo culture, a stranger to Edo people, and a stranger to the comparative advantages of the three(3) Senatorial Districts and communities of Edo State.

Whereas, *Senator Monday Okpebholo*: the APC Governorship Candidate is the man with the transformative compass to lead Edo State to the enviable height of progress and development. Please, let us join this steady walk with the APC to a resounding victory for all Edo people!!

It is not about debate or noise making, and display of arrogance. But it is about calmness, humility, and informed policy decisions making process.

Patrick I. Biose is a Lawyer, an Arbitrator, a Political Strategist, a Public Affairs Commentator, and a Civil Rights Activist.