As the September 21 governorship election in Edo State draws near, a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Tom Iseghohi, has disclosed that he remains the best choice to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Iseghohi, the former Group Managing Director, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, said he wants to succeed the outgoing governor in order to ensure good governance, proper management of the vast resources in the South-South state.

Iseghohi, an indigene of Uromi, Esan Northeast Local Government Area, in Edo Central Senatorial District of the state, spoke at state secretariat of LP in Benin City over the weekend during his official declaration to vie for the governorship election.

He was upbeat of emerging victorious during the party’s primary election of billed for next month.

The frontline governorship aspirant, who insisted that he did not enter the race late, and that he was not worried about the presence of equally formidable and highly-experienced aspirants on LP’s platform, was received by Edo State Chairman of the party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi and other members of his executive, and promised to ensure a level-playing field for all the aspirants.

Iseghohi, who is also the Chairman of Emerging Global Capital, said: “I am applying for a job, not declaring. In a company, it is owned by shareholders. So, I have come to you to apply to be your nominee for the Governor of Edo, a once thriving state, under the visionary leadership of the Samuel Ogbemudia’s administration, and later Prof. Ambrose Alli. Now, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The echoes of our glorious past linger, reminding us of a time when our state flourished under the principles of good governance, progress, and justice.  

“Then, the Edo person was a strong person; he was hardworking; proud of himself, his family and his community; he was respected; he was a big man just because he was an Edo man; he was successful and happy; loved and protective of his Edo brothers, sisters, mama, papa, pikin and the land.

“At that time, the Edo person thrived on a level-playing field, promoted by good governance, equity and justice. Many multi-national companies rushed to establish in Edo because of these values. The Edo person focused on development and growing his business. He did not rely on government or anybody to have dignity and to survive.  The economy of the land prospered and provided more than enough jobs and security. At that time, Edo was first in all national competitions. Even in sports, Edo no dey carry last. This is one thing we knew and were proud of.  

“I do not think we should have gone from first to last in so many things. This pains me to my bone marrow.  I want to lead a team to return Edo from last back to first. Driven by my vision to restore the legacy of safety and prosperity that our state once enjoyed, I hereby announce my application for the position of Governor of Edo State, and to fulfil all righteousness, I hereby declare my intention to run for Governor of Edo State on LP’s platform.” 

The governorship aspirant also disclosed that he had risen to the highest global status, he would make the state the cynosure of all eyes.

He said: “Although, it is difficult to be proud of Edo State right now, I know how to change the current situation for the better. I have done so in many organizations around the world. Organisations, whose value exceeds $200 billion, ten times bigger than Nigeria’s budget.  I have reformed them to never go down or be broke again. I am a transformation expert, a specialist at rebuilding moribund sleeping giants, whose challenges make Nigeria’s challenges a child’s play.  

“I am doing this (vying for Edo governorship), because the hands we have now, have shown that they lack capacity to give us safety, security, infrastructure, unity, education, healthcare, housing and jobs.  They have failed abysmally for 24 years, and we must send them packing. I want to put an end to the suffering of my people, and within two to three years, I promise you that you will see an amazing change.

“The old and recycled recurring decimals have tried their best.  We supported and gave them time and space to do their best, but we have nothing to show, but poverty, sickness and despair.  It is time for them to go home to rest. It is time for us to employ people who know how to do the job, to take over the job.  We can no longer tolerate lies, incompetence and failure.

“I have been transforming bigger, and more difficult organisations for decades.  Why not do it in my beloved Edo State? Everything we need is in Edo, except good governance. Edo, based on size and resources, is like a country, and is bigger than 30 countries in this world. Edo has everything. We are the richest state in Nigeria, based on just location and intellectual capacity. When you add our strategic location, minerals, agriculture, marine economy, digital prowess and the $8 billion a year our Edo brothers and sisters send to us from the diaspora, no other state even comes close to the richness of Edo, but our resources are being mismanaged. We have ourselves to blame for believing their lies and tolerating their incompetence.  

“No one in Edo State should be hungry, unsafe, uneducated, not have protection of the law or be poor, yet we are all poor. The Edo person is one of the best human beings in the entire world. I have travelled in my small way around the world, I know what I am saying. Tell us Edo people the truth, show us the positive path and do not cheat us. Then, you have a partner that will stay with you, no matter what.”

Iseghohi also described Edo indigenes as excellent, smart, and loyal people, but lamented that most of the leaders had taken undue advantage of the loyalty, while declaring that the bad leaders must now pack their load, and go home.  

He said: “We are ready to help them to pack. We are ready to sack them, and employ a governor and a team that know what they are doing, and understand that we are their Oga (boss). Not the other way around.

“By God’s grace, on September 21, 2024, we shall put a stop to pain, suffering and bad governance in Edo State. When I become governor-elect in September 2024, we will start work immediately. When I am inaugurated on November 12, 2024, I shall run a ‘people-oriented government.’  I shall work for what my people want, I shall slave for what my people need, and I shall sacrifice for what will make Edo state become once again a shining example in Nigeria. Edo shall be an Eden State, which other states of Nigeria will like to emulate, and to become one day. 

“From Benin City, we shall positively influence the governance of Edo people at all levels in the city, local government, federal constituencies, senatorial districts and the state levels.

“I want to fix Edo State, and I know how to do it. When I become the governor of Edo, you will not recognise what the state has become in just three years. With your support, we can do this. So, I am asking you to join my political family. Go to the website or send to us a WhatsApp message, and we will automatically add you to our political family. 

“A governor is your employee that must do the job you have hired him to do. The governor is a staff member, whom you should hire and sack at will, if he does not do his job. I am ready to be your staff member. You will not sack me, instead you will promote me, because I will promote you. We will have a solemn contract between us, me and the people of Edo State.” 

The governorship aspirant also stated that there was no reason Edo State, in eight years, could not be speeding towards Singapore’s status in the world, while describing Singapore as the miracle of the world, but he reiterated that Edo was 25 times bigger than Singapore, but the Southsouth state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 50 times smaller than Singapore.

Iseghohi assured that in a few days, he would unveil his manifesto with Edo residents.