Debating
the "Homeboy" Factor in the 2024 Edo State Gubernatorial Election?
By Barr Alex Ehi Aidaghese.
Asue
Ighodalo built his house in the middle of nowhere at Ukpowala'Udo in his
village, Okaigben Ewohimi, more than a decade ago, when the thought of contesting
in the 2024 Edo State Gubernatorial election was not on the horizon.
Today,
his house is no longer standing alone; houses are springing up on that historic
axis, and every plot of land in the vicinity has been bought in the last five
years.
Yes,
every plot, is sold. I was there (in front of the house) on two occasions three
weeks ago to inspect a not-so-close plot of land that was sold to a family
friend who probably wouldn't be interested, if Asue had not come to town a
decade ago.
That's
what "homeboy" is about - a catalyst, a driving force, pushing
businesses, propelling commerce, investments, and job opportunities to his neck
of the woods where no one else would have dared to dream or venture.
Above
all, he has opened up Ukpowala'Udo to the world and demonstrated to the
original homeboys like us who were born and raised in the same village, but
live overseas that indeed the countryside is where the action is - habitable,
friendly, and hospitable. Barr. Asue Ighodalo, have, in recent times, been
spending more time at home than most of us, the original homeboys, born in the
village.
Finally,
if you are Chief Osakue or a gubernatorial aspirant who still shares his views
on who is a "homeboy" or "stranger" for the purpose of the
coming gubernatorial campaign, please, take Asue Ighodalo out of the picture.
Do not clothe in a borrowed robe. It won't fit. You do not know him. We do. He
has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors at home, too numerous to
itemize here.
You
call him a Lagos Boy, but for many years, he was a part of the Comrade Adam
Oshiomhole Economic Team and Chairman of the Benin City-based Governor
Obaseki-incubated Alaghodaro investment outfit that has taken hundreds - if not
thousands -of Edo State citizens out of the unemployment lines. Who else has
that on-the-ground CV?
Professor
Ambrose Ali (may his soul continue to rest in peace), one of the
best-performing Governors we have ever had in the state didn't speak a word of
Esan dialect and didn't own a plot of land in his village, Ekpoma before he
became the Governor of Bendel State. Today, he had more institutions of higher
learning to his name than any other Governor in the history of our beloved
state.
In
other words, the fact that Professor Ambrose Ali didn't have a presence in his
roots or communicate in Esan dialect before his Governorship endeavor was never
a handicap.
Today,
thanks to Asue Ighodalo, clean water is gushing out of the ground for the use
of the men, women, and children of Uzebu and Idumhun-Oboh quarters of Okaigben
Ewohimi.
He's
been visiting home for the Okaigben-khide yearly festival during the Easter
season with his dad and siblings for decades. The Okaigben Town Hall built by
his uncle for the community in the 70s is still standing. He is not a stranger
to his roots or the nitty-gritty of investment processes in Edo State.
Please,
guys, enough of the false narrative you are marketing about this well-read,
cultured, and highly accomplished gentleman. The focus should be on his vast
wealth of wisdom; human resources and organizational behavior; untainted
integrity; and a broad knowledge of corporate dealings at home and abroad,
spanning about four decades that he is bringing to the table in the PDP
Primaries and the 2024 Gubernatorial election.
Besides
building a successful law practice in Nigeria, it is not an underachievement to
be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sterling Bank as well as that of
the Nigerian Breweries, the number one bear maker in Nigeria.
You
don't know Barr Asue Ighodalo, but we do. That's why we're telling this story,
not to attack anyone, but to set the record straight. We will continue to do so
ahead of the Primaries and General election when the need arises.
As
he is about to officially enter the race, God is on standby, watching all over
him; the spirit of Odu-na'Agbogidi and Ezelomon are on standby, standing for
him; and the conscientious men and women of Edo State are on standby to take
the divine mandate to the roads and, Insha Allah, bring the victory home on
election day for the good of the people of Edo State. Amen.
Barr. Alex Ehi Aidaghese Esq. Bio.
Hold
a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB) from Edo State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria, and
a Master of Law (LLM) in the Laws of Natural Resources, Energy, and
Environmental Law and Policy from the Sturm College of Law, University of
Denver, Colorado, USA. Harvard University one-year master's level Certificate
of Special Studies (CSS) in Administration and Management. (Now called the
Master of Liberal Arts in Management). Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
(MCSE).
A
Principal Partner at Alex and Partners, a boutique law firm, based in Lagos and
Port Harcourt, Nigeria, engaged in transactional practice and government
relations - negotiating natural resources agreements (oil and gas),
maritime/admiralty disputes, legal strategy/opinion, regulatory compliance, and
land acquisition. E.G. Bonga Oil Spillage in the Niger Delta and the lopsidedly
structured concessionaire Mining Agreement between the National Transition
Government of Liberia and Mattel Steel Holdings AG.
For Consultations contact:
WhatsApp: (+234) 07049215084
Email: ehilexander@gmail.com