There are no honorable political men.  Not in our generation.  Not in any country.  Most seek gratuitous gains at the expense of others.  Through plenary actions, devious creativities and diversified strategies laced with mischievous intents to brighten the future of others, they maim, they kill, they lie and they proclaim the impossible for personal gain.  Today, Nigeria, the most populous country in African and the most populous black nation in the world is on the verge of reelecting a new leader. 

Unlike South Africa where Nelson Mandela, a man who arguably earned the right to lifetime presidency based on his life experiences and chose to lead by example, quitting after one term, to lay a foundation of leadership and good governance worldwide, Nigeria is faced with a confusing symposium of a president named Olusegun Obasanjo.  After three tenures segmented under a military and democratic mantle, the current president may very well change the democratic framework on this populous African nation through his actions as it mends support to the election of new leaders at the federal and state levels.

Edo State 

Over the years, I have written some of the most popular, in-depth and yet controversial articles on Edo State and Lucky Igbinedion.  Some of the articles have brought me pain and some, great joy.   I regret none.  I have personally met with lucky, had a private lunch with him and have met his repository of close staffs over the years here in California.  I have written of the Lucky I knew years before he became the Governor of Edo State and how he compromised his integrity and literarily mortgaged his conscience upon attaining the governorship position for personal gain.  I concluded after my last meeting with Lucky in Citrus Heights, California, that Lucky failed the people of Edo state.

I also over the years wrote about the man that must be honored for being one of the best sons on the nation, Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.  He is noted for being one of the best leaders Edo State ever had, companioned closely, by Prof. Ambrose Alli. 

Today, I write with great hope, on the future of Edo State based solely on the election of Professor Oserheimen Aigberadion Osunbor as the primary PDP candidate.  In my comparative analysis of the primary candidates a few months ago, I noted that it was a close race between Prof. Osunbor, Elder Ugbesia and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.   I also opined that in striving for excellence, Edo State needed a leader that could transform her from its chaotic decadence to a new height.  Today, I write with great conviction that Professor Oserheimen Aigberadion Osunbor, noted as a humble, intellectually polished man who earned a first class in Law from Nsukka and holds a Ph.D in Law be celebrated, for he may very well be the leader needed in Edo State. 

Though highly regarded as a great scholar, it must be clearly emphasized that his integrity among others may have paved the way for Prof. Osunbor to emerge the leader of the pack.   A skilled networking professional with etiquette for hard work and ability to follow protocol and unite relationships among divergent groups, it is hoped that he will embrace recommendations, align himself with doers and create sure-fire ways filled with strength, courage, and confidence to move Edo State forward. 

The people of Edo State have suffered enough.  Prof. Osunbor must begin immediately to turn the fears and morbid fright-of-survival of Edo State citizens into enthusiasm of hope, confidence, and joy.  I, for one, believe if anyone is capable of performing at a level of commendable heights with poise, awareness of needs and conformance for success, it is Prof. Osunbor.

Challenges

Prof. Osunbor emerged the PDP representative for several reasons.  If Ugbesia had won, PDP may as well have lost the race and it would have reflected poorly on the PDP organizing team.  Prof. Osunbor is highly presumed and to most insiders, known to hold the competency and ability to lead, and not the guilt-ridden baggage of failure upon arrival.  As bright as the future of Edo State looks, Prof. Osunbor now has the chagrined challenge of facing a man that is (or maybe was) well-appreciated by most for his role as the labor leader. 

I arguably believe the challenge is of an annoying kind, for the fact that Adams Oshiomhole could have been a solid candidate if he had not chosen to align himself with Lucky Igbinedion for personal and political gain.  His decision to shift from the Labor Party to Action Congress (funded by Lucky Igbinedion’s ill-gotten wealth) to gain a political and financial backing in a desperate move of compromise may have disconnected Adams Oshiomhole from his supporters. 

To Prof. Osunbor, I say be steadfast, be resolved in your focus with your team.  The battle is not won and your forces cannot be complacent.  However, be glad that the distinctness of your race is the fact that you are needed by the people and that alone, may be the hidden mechanism behind your success.

Deputy Governor

Every great leader needs a great follower.  At this point, it is not too premature to narrow in on the best deputy to the governor.  I spent the past 48 hours analyzing potential deputies recognizing the metrical breakdown of the roles from the different regions.  With Prof. Osunbor as the governor, Edo North will earn the role of the Speaker and the subject of a viable deputy that:

(a)         has the leadership ability,

(b)         possesses the job skills,

(c)         has discipline and effective work habits,

(d)         knows how to establish performance goals and align with the success plans of the governor,

(e)         embraces change,

(f)         is a doer and embraces critical feedback,

(g)         has talents with assisting the governor to recruit skilled professionals

(h)         has integrity,

(i)         has the testicular fortitude to tactfully challenge the governor when needed,

(j)         understands financial management and accountability,

(k)          is noted as a great motivator, and

(l)         cares more for Edo State than his personal achievements among others.

Based on the region with the golden opportunity or challenge of producing the next deputy governor, only one main person at this point, ascend, based on credibility, in-depth analysis by a growing list of notables and most important, the factors listed above.

Samuel Ogbemudia Jr.

I will devote a separate article to analyzing Samuel Ogbemudia Jr. and other candidates for the deputy governorship position.  Samuel Ogbemudia Jr. sticks out of the pack like a lightening rod.  An offspring of a man noted for being one of the most successful leaders Bendel State ever had.  A good tree mostly produces great fruits all else being equal.  This intelligent, non-prideful man that exhumes leadership is barely known because of his synchronized ability to perform at commendable levels and yet divert the attention to others.  He is gifted with the blended ability to criticize and yet empower at the same time.  His balanced-oriented competency was apparent during his effective role as a special assistance on sports.  With broad-based knowledge gained in England and the United States, he has an engaging personality.  I will further explore Samuel Ogbemudia Jr. and other candidates in my next article.

Edo State is at a point of resurgence.  Together with my team, we will strive and devote time to ensuring that the people of the state comes first in the scheme of things, under the umbrella of the governor’s agenda.  This analysis is solely for the purpose of clarifying and speaking of the vision of pending success upon expiration of Lucky Igbinedion’s tenure.  Lucky, a man that spoke of Servant Leadership during his growing days back in college in Wyoming, USA and failed to practice what he preached.  Today, a new dawn is being set and the future is looking brighter.  Let’s support the newly lit candle and ensure that Prof. Osunbor emerges as the new governor of Edo State come 2007 so the climate of safety, jobs, running water, good roads, basic infrastructure that disappeared over the past 8 years will be achieved under a leadership of excellence.