As the political atmosphere in Edo State becomes charged with the fervor of the upcoming gubernatorial elections, the air is thick with promises and commitments. Aspirants from various political divides are stepping forward, each presenting their vision for the future of Edo. Yet, amid this bustling electoral marketplace, a crucial message must resonate with every candidate: the mantle of leadership is a call to serve, not a ticket to personal enrichment.

The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as the essence of good governance lies in prioritizing the welfare of the people above all else. It is about creating policies that foster economic growth, social welfare, and infrastructural development. It is about being transparent, accountable, and equitable in the distribution of resources. The focus should be on leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time, not on short-term gains that will vanish as swiftly as they appeared.

To the esteemed gubernatorial aspirants of Edo State, let this be a reminder that the office you seek is a sacred trust bestowed upon you by the citizens. They are entrusting you with their hopes, their dreams, and their aspirations for a better tomorrow. When elected, remember that your every decision, every policy, and every initiative should be a stepping stone towards the upliftment of Edo State and its indomitable spirit.

Let the campaign trail be marked not by the clamor of what can be gained, but by the solemn pledge of good governance. Let the debates and dialogues revolve around sustainable development plans, educational reforms, healthcare improvements, and economic strategies that will benefit all, not just a select few.

In fact, the call to lead is a call to elevate the collective over the individual. As you canvas for votes and outline your manifestos, let the promise of good governance be the cornerstone of your political journey. Edo State stands at a crossroads, and its future rests in the hands of its next governor. Make your tenure a testament to the power of selfless service, and let history remember you as a leader who placed governance over gain.

Certainly! As gubernatorial aspirants in Edo State prepare to lead, they should consider implementing specific policies that prioritize good governance and the well-being of their constituents.

Without resorting to campaign of calumny in this context, all aspirants should be thinking of engendering transparency and accountability. To engender financial transparency, it is expedient that all aspirants in the upcoming election should not forget that it is incumbent on them to implement mechanisms to ensure transparency in budgeting, spending, and revenue collection. In fact, they should be thinking of publishing detailed financial reports regularly.In fact, they should not forget about asset declaration which requires public officials, including the governor, to declare their assets before and after their tenure. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as this promotes accountability and prevents illicit enrichment.

Similar to the foregoing view is that all aspiring gubernatorial candidates ahead of the election in the state that is scheduled to commence in September 2024 should have it at the back of their minds that it is incumbent on them to ensure transparent procurement processes for government contracts and projects, and in the same vein publish bidding information, evaluation criteria, and contract details.

Another salient issue to have in mind by gubernatorial aspirants is that they should not forget that rule of law and justice should be sacrosanct. Without a doubt, regarding judicial independence, all aspirants should not forget that there is an urgent need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary to ensure fair and impartial adjudication.

Again, they should have it at the back of their minds that there is an urgent need for the creation of access to justice when elected, and the need to improve citizens’ access to legal services, especially for vulnerable populations.

In a similar vein, they should not forget that law enforcement reform is crucial, particularly as it enhances the capacity and integrity of law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order.

Furthermore they should not forget the expediency of service delivery and infrastructure, particularly in the area of healthcare, which requires investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and equipment by prioritizing the improvement and establishment of primary healthcare centers and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services.

Still in the same vein, they should not forget that in the area of education that there is an urgent need to improve educational facilities, teacher training, and curriculum development, even as the promotion of vocational and technical education is pragmatic.

Still in the same vein, there is the need for them not to forget that roads and transportation deserve to be developed and maintained by intensifying their efforts on road networks, bridges, and public transportation systems to enhance connectivity.

To this writer, another key area which all the aspirants should be thinking about as they aspire to govern the state is that of economic development and job creation. This is a there is an urgent need to createan enabling environment for businesses to thrive as attracting local and foreign investments; if lucky to be elected.

In the area of agriculture, all aspiring gubernatorial candidates should be thinking about supporting smallholder farmers, promoting agribusiness in order to enhance food security when elected.

Closely related to the foregoing is the need to prioritize the establishment of vocational training centers to equip youths with relevant skills for employment.

In a similar vein, there is the need for them to be thinking about the issue of waste management which requires the Implementation of effective waste disposal and recycling programs.

Still in a similar vein, there would be the need to address climate change impacts by promoting sustainable practices and protecting natural resources.

Also, there is the need for all the aspirants to think about social welfare and inclusion which would entail developing programs to support vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and unemployed. To aptly put it, the forthcoming gubernatorial election is not about resorting to campaign of calumny or aptly personal attack, and thinking about what is in it when luckily elected, and eventually becoming the governor of the state. In fact, there is the need for all the aspirants to have it at the back of their minds that the next political dispensation it is not going to be business as usual.

Also from a similar perspective is the issue of gender equality which requires the promotion of women’s participation in governance and addressing gender-based violence.

Most salient for the aspirants to remember in this context is youth empowerment which entails the creation of opportunities for youth engagement, skill development, and entrepreneurship. This can be achieved through citizen participation and civic engagement through town hall meetings by regularly engaging with citizens to understand their needs and concerns, even establishing channels for citizens to provide feedback on government services and policies.

Above all, all aspirants should, as they keep campaigning ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election, to remember that good governance is not just about winning elections; it is about serving the people selflessly, leaving a positive legacy, and ensuring sustainable development for Edo State.