AIV EDITORIAL>Ondo State Gubernatorial Election: Where does our Hope of Good Governance in the Next Four Years Lies?

Will Competence and Vision Prevail? Or Is It Business As Usual?

The forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Nigeria, presents an opportunity for citizens to choose a leader who will steer the state towards progress and development. As the election approaches, the question on everyone’s mind is: will competence and vision determine the outcome?

Just as it is in most states across the country, Ondo State’s economy has struggled in recent years, with high unemployment and poverty rates.The state’s infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and education, requires significant improvement. Insecurity prevails. The need for transparent, accountable, and effective governance.

To address these challenges, the next governor must be someone who is visionary, competent, expert in economic management, good in governance, strategist in security matters. He must be someone who truly has the good interest of the people at heart and is willing to commit to the requirements that would see to the transformation of the state.

Who among the gubernatorial candidates fits the role? The incumbent Governor (APC)? The main opposition Candidate (PDP)? Or the other contenders (APGA, SDP, etc.). And if we are fortunate to be able discern the right person, do we have the electoral morality and courage to stick to that messiah? Are Ondonians willing to throw party loyalty, ethnic, communal and regional sentiments and biases aside to do the needful?

What assurance do we have that voter apathy, thuggery, commercialization of votes, and other electoral malpractices will not prevail against
competence and vision in the forthcoming election? Political History of Nigeria holds out the fact party loyalty, electoral malpractice, ethnic sentiments and other evils often outweigh and rubbish competence, and undermine the electoral process.

Where does our Hope of Good Governance in the next four years lies?

It lies in not giving up on the Right Cause.

This election is another critical opportunity for citizens of the Sunshine State to choose a leader who will drive progress. While competence and vision are crucial, their influence on the outcome is uncertain. It is essential for Ondonians to prioritize competence and vision when casting votes; candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns; the electoral Commission to ensure transparency and credibility, and for stakeholders to promote civic education and voter mobilization.