Former Chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo, has formally declared his intention to contest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the Edo State gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
Speaking at a well-attended event at the party’s secretariat in Benin City on Wednesday, Ighodalo outlined his vision for the state, focusing on education, economic development, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
He emphasised the need for inclusive growth and promised to leverage the state’s unique cultural heritage to drive a robust tourism economy.
Ighodalo also pledged to invest in infrastructure, including roads and rail networks, and improve access to electricity across the three senatorial zones.
He said: “As governor, by the grace of God, my mission will be to create an Edo where quality education is accessible to all, where hard work is rewarded and where our talented youth can turn their dreams and aspirations into reality.
“I believe in the promise of an Edo where every person, regardless of their start in life, can write their own story of success -if we take the right steps, together. My policies as governor-if you will give me your mandate-will be focused on unlocking this promise, for all of us, in key areas.
“My ultimate objective is to lead a government that eliminates deprivation in all its forms and makes Edo the best place to live and work in Nigeria. Our economic policies will uplift the poor, support the hard-working men and women of this state, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
“No part of Edo will be left behind. From the high plains of Kukuruku to the lush vegetation of Ilushi; from the rich, red sands of Sakponba, to Esanlands’ incredible biodiversity, we have all that is needed to make our state a mesmerising destination for progress and wealth.
“Across each administrative zone, in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South, we will create practical and focused economic development teams that will harness each area’s unique potential to create wealth for all our people.
“I believe strongly that education is the gateway to opportunity, so we will continue to invest in education as a priority from primary schools to secondary and tertiary institutions — throughout the state. We will ensure that our educational system becomes a beacon of hope, and ladder to opportunity. We will make Edo State’s educational system our key to ending generational poverty, for good, in our great state”.
The governorship aspirant stated that if allowed to serve, he intends to be the Chief Welfare Officer of the state, providing excellent and affordable healthcare, decent living conditions and basic food security for the people of the state, just as he promised to tackle insecurity in all of its forms, noting that an improved economy will reduce some types of insecurity.
Besides, he said to improve access to electricity, his administration will invest in replicating the success of the Ossiomo independent power project across the three senatorial zones and explore affordable ways of providing electricity in rural areas, even as he said his government would create an enabling environment for businesses and people to thrive across the state.
