In this exclusive interview with Idumonza Iisdahomhen, the SDP gubernatorial aspirant highlighted the reason for choosing the SDP platform to achieve his gubernatorial ambition despite the fact that APC holds sway in Edo State. He expresses confidence about his chances of becoming the next governor of the state. He stresses that he is passionate about giving his people a distinct atmosphere of possibilities, inclusiveness and rapid advancement; a total breakaway from nightmares of administration gone past while introducing changes that rejuvenate the mentality and physicality of the state and her inhabitants.
Excerpts:
What are the prospects of SDP in the Nigeria electoral setting in view of stronger political parties?
First, let me state, unequivocally, that those political parties people feel are strong are not strong after all. PDP, with all it spread and money, lost the last presidential election. A lot of voters are already up in arms against APC in 2019. So, how strong are they? They are not strong and are not balanced in terms of ideological concept for improved standards of living for the masses.
Social Democratic Party, SDP, however, commands a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Nigeria politics and the Edo electoral organism. Our electioneering apparatuses are fully kitted by all standards, therefore the consciousness of inferiority to the APC and PDP has, and apparently, will never take shape. We understand it doesn’t ever come easy against the mechanism of these parties but it’s not in our gene to approach a task unprepared.
Do you think you have the financial muscle to win the governorship race?
Interestingly money has seldom ever been the overwhelming deciding factor in politics and neither has it been the sole parameter for anyone to win that has ever won. Of course financial potentials are a necessity in any venture and in this capacity as governorship aspirant our budget stands considerably convincing. However I’m afraid that that is not our strength. Ideologically it doesn’t come around as a stronghold. For us the concepts of political willingness, services towards humanity, constructive criticism and an uncharacteristic resilience to initiate a breakaway from the past through socioeconomic revolution are more excellent ways to political zenith. They are worth more than a thousand chests of gold. In any measure we are financially equipped going into this election.
What do you see as a strong point or as an advantage over other political parties in the state?
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In today’s Nigeria the difference between the PDP and the APC is that one swings a broom and the other waves an umbrella. We have witnessed both parties in government. While one believes you need to first pour water into a bowl of garri, the other maintains that the garri must go first into a bowl of water. Ideologically these parties are perfect similitude in all ramification and the people of Edo state are not ignorant of that scheme. But then, SDP is coming at this imperative moment armed with fresh ideas and standards to salvage the people from the shackles of the old brigades – giving them a reason to hope again where non apparently exists.
Again, I hail from Edo central and the Esan nation deserves to be supported this time. The Binis are our brothers and sisters. The Edo North people are also our brothers and sisters. We are all one.
The Esan people at home and in the diaspora having supported the North and South in time past. We implore them to support Idumonza’s abundant ideas to transform the prevailing standard of the state. Although there are no legal or constitutional mandate compelling the institutionalization of this pattern but what we all retain within us is a moral obligations to support one another interchangeably.
Beside, the 16 years of both PDP and APC in Edo have been a session of trials and error. SDP is coming into the picture of Edo state with a roadmap chiseled out from statistical and empirical evidences. The highlight of our plans is concise and operational touching the immediate and the remote. Surely we are not coming unprepared.
What changes do you intend to introduce to the people of Edo State?
We have a passionate desire to give the people of Edo state a distinct atmosphere of possibilities, inclusiveness and rapid advancement; a total breakaway from nightmares of administration gone past. We are introducing changes that rejuvenate the mentality and physicality of the state and her inhabitants. We are presenting change that can be seen and felt, such that progressively shapes both lives and infrastructure. SDP would be initiating changes in economic policies through a robust overhaul that set to transform Edo state into her long-lost function – the heartbeat of the nation.
As a matter of fact, the youths and graduates of different categories will have something to think about once they wake up every morning because they are well accommodated in all the programmes.
Is there any Adams Oshiomole programme you intend to continue with?
One of our major priorities is prudent resources management. Therefore harnessing whatever is within and outside our plans are vital. However whether or not we would sustain any project by Adam’s administration would largely depend on the necessity and operationality. When we get into office and have comprehensive access to the dynamics and modalities of the existing projects we would thus put into consideration how to marry any into our already established plan. For now our concentration are entirely channeled into the Idumonza Agenda.
Tourism is an important aspect of development, how do you intend to harness the tourism potential of the state?
We believe the tourism sector in Edo state is a very fertile for private investors and we are going to take such partnership very critically. Our tourism plans are comprehensive. The Benin Moat for example would be turned into a global destination of choice for tourists while Somorika Hills, Ososo landscape in Akoko Edo will embrace same turnaround. There will be a remodeling of the existing Museums, Water Falls and Art Galleries across the State. The details of these plans are available to the experts we have constituted. They are already at work.
What difference do you hope to bring to Edo State as part of your vision for the state?
SDP is recreating a whole new world for the people of Edo state. The inglorious democratic regimes of both PDP and APC are sad reminders of how Edo has remained a civil servant State in the past 16 years despite abundant natural blessings. The Edo story, at the moment, exposes the State as the most backward in industrial growth among the 36 States of Nigeria. And this is where Idumonza comes in. This is the time to break away from the past and embrace Social Democratic Party, SDP, with fresh ideas.
Our government, with little resources, would deploy and sustain friendly policies cum enabling environment for private initiatives. Many entities, in the productive sector, across the globe have already indicated interest in Edo through our various international contacts.
