Prince Kazeem Afegbua, a former Aide to former military president Ibrahim Babangida, and a former commissioner for information in Edo State, has said that he joined the 2024 governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, to address the infrastructural decay and leadership deficiency in the state.
Afegbua made this known while speaking yesterday in Benin, during his visit to the secretariat of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo state council.
The former commissioner noted that his aspiration was also to seamlessly reposition the state in sync with national reckoning, and fully explore the beckoning opportunities.
According to him, Edo state could not afford to be in opposition to a federal government that was poised to renew the citizens’ hope and take them to a place of prosperity, economic strength, stability, and pride.
“My intention is borne out of a genuine desire to offer a new lease of leadership to our people, following the political disconnect of the present leadership in the state, seeing the decline it has brought upon us.
“We have been failed and put in despair by our current leadership. There is a huge leadership deficiency in our state, and it needs an urgent and just response.
“Edo people are presently disoriented by the politics of pretence and high-handedness, occasioned by the needless squabbles and altercations among the leaders of the ruling party (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) in our state.
“The cohesion that should naturally promote and reassure citizens of a sense of belonging across the 18 local governments is absent. Growth, development, and prosperity have not been able to pick momentum under these circumstances.
“There is no longer a clear-cut leadership direction as a homogeneous state, that was once driven by the collective aspirations of our founding fathers, which indeed formed the bedrock of and gave impetus to our progress and prosperity, has now become one of incessant political turmoil.
“Our political trajectory has become one of tempers and anger. It is imperative at this time that we start the process of healing and reinvigoration of the lofty glory of our dear state.
“I am energetic, strong and vibrant. I am a man of grit and am very passionate about resetting the political architecture and dynamics of Edo State through purposeful leadership that will birth a new lease of life for us all.
“I am encouraged by the knowledge of the natural resourcefulness and ingenuity that lie in our people, and their can-do spirit, now unfortunately in despondency.
” I will create the right ambience and atmosphere, by tapping from the reservoir of knowledge of our leaders and the innovative ingenuity of our youths,” Afegbua said.
He further noted that upon his election on September 21, 2024 and inauguration on November 12, 2024, he would hit the ground running, by emphasizing road, education and health.
“I am determined to make a big difference with positive impacts. With your support, I will redefine the essence of governance for the benefit of our people. The era of lamentation will be gone when I take the lead.
“Edo must rise again from the ashes of this present misgovernance to a state that will occupy its rightful place in the assembly of states in Nigeria. Edo State deserves more than just a passing interest,” he added.
The former commissioner however noted that there was nothing like zoning in Edo politics, with aspirants with capacities to govern the state to emerge as standard bearers of the political parties, while the electorate voted for the best person, which he represented.
