Edo cries out for another Ambrose Alli, Ighodalo could be him

By Kingsley L. Ighobor

When Ambrose Alli sought the governorship of Edo State in 1978, most people asked, “Ambrose who?” He was an unfamiliar figure in the political landscape.

Alli’s four-year tenure (1979-1983) was revolutionary. His bumper-sticker four cardinal programmes, an offshoot of the ideals of the Obafemi Awolowo-led Unity Party of Nigeria, were a messaging masterpiece: free education, free healthcare services, integrated rural development and full and gainful employment. They encapsulated a transformational agenda that, through meticulous implementation, propelled Alli to legendary status in the state and, perhaps, nationally.

Governor Alli established hundreds of secondary schools, a university, polytechnics and colleges of education. His government offered free tuition and textbooks to all students. Many of those beneficiaries credit their success in life to the education they received during Alli’s tenure.

He constructed thousands of kilometers of roads and low-cost housing. He provided free healthcare — for the first time, mobile clinics traveled to remote villages, offering medical services to underserved, poverty-stricken communities.

The soft-spoken, taciturn professor of morbid anatomy wasn’t a particularly boisterous personality, but his actions spoke volumes.

That was eons ago; those halcyon days are now a relic of a distant past. The Alli mantle has lain dormant for decades, waiting to be picked up. Edo citizens continue to cry out for his replica.

Could Asue Ighodalo step into Alli’s big shoes?

Like Alli, Ighodalo hasn’t been a heavyweight in politics, which could be an advantage in that it provides him the space to define himself. He embodies some interesting paradoxes. For example, he is reported to be humble and relatable, despite his immense wealth and accomplishments, including being at the helm of one of Africa’s most prestigious law firms and chairing the board of a new-generation bank.

His candidacy inspires hope, even as he could run the sequel to a seemingly ineffective administration. He engenders trust, despite the calcifying trust deficit between leaders and citizens.

Ighodalo is a good communicator, perhaps better than Alli. Yet, Alli’s strength was his tendency to be underestimated by opponents, much to their chagrin.

Like Alli, Ighodalo’s potential success will hinge on his foresight, integrity and a healthy dose of stubbornness — qualities Alli possessed in good measure.

A political leader in a highly unequal society must decide whom to serve: the grifters or the grassroots. Alli chose the latter. Ighodalo sounds like he got that memo. That this choice even exists reflects an ongoing struggle — the push-pull dynamic between those who siphon Nigeria’s wealth and those whose lives teeter on the brink.

The grifters enjoy the relative ease with which they exploit the status quo; they love the doom loop and the insulation it provides them. Their relevance is amplified by the increasing irrelevance of others. It is a grim reality that unwittingly amplifies the buzz of hope around Ighodalo’s candidacy.

His strength lies in the hope he engenders, and hope is the ultimate elixir for the human spirit. If he emerges victorious on September 21, it will be a triumph of, by, and for the people, and he will face the formidable task of governing.

Ighodalo himself proselytizes a transformation agenda — a trite but effective political communication tactic. He has a 100-day plan — an ambitious agenda that includes instituting good governance, citizens’ well-being, environmental sustainability and safety and security. The nebulosity of this agenda aside, his plan provides an inroad into the inner workings of his excellent mind.

Why should we believe him? Well, our conclusions must anchor in his stellar pedigree and, yes, sheer hope. But Ighodalo must let out a white smoke that he will not align his administration with entrenched and discredited political structures. Instead, he should convey a desire to uproot those structures— as Alli did.

Ighodalo can capably turn the page, in style and substance. He will need to rely on good policies because good policies lead to good politics. One of the casualties of such a new page should inevitably be clientelism — the politics of “settlement” to secure support for the next election.

He must prioritize the next generation, not the next election. Alli did exactly that.

Ighodalo’s approach will not come without a cost. An aggressive move away from the rotten status quo will invariably put him at odds with his benefactors. He will need to deploy the kind of effort necessary to stop a galloping train with bare hands.

His opponents will bay for his blood. But ordinary people, who are solidly behind him, will see through the machinations.

The bar for responsive and responsible leadership is on the floor, which presents a huge opportunity. In the decades since Alli’s passing, there has been a thirst and hunger for good leaders. The supply has been abysmal.

In addition to his focus areas in the 100-day agenda, here are some low-hanging fruits:

First, the youth. With over 60 percent of the population under 25, the state needs an enabling environment where startup ideas sprout as easily as mushrooms in season. From fintech to solar power, Edo State can aim to be a Silicon Savannah.

Second, value addition. From agricultural produce to furniture, and everything in between, Edo State’s resources are legion. Finished exportable products from Edo State will expand the industrial base, provide jobs and catalyze economic growth.

Third, diversification. From a one-trick pony to a multidisciplinary economy, diversification into catalytic sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, sports, services, etc. will be vital.

Fourth, robust trade. The ambition must be to trade within and beyond Nigeria, taking advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Formal trade relations with neighboring countries, for instance, will lead to significant inflows of foreign earnings.

Fifth, bring women to the table. You cannot develop unless those who constitute half the population participate in decision-making. Women’s political and financial inclusion is central to impressive socioeconomic development in many countries.

I would like Ighodalo to envision Edo State as a vibrant, sprawling canvas where every brushstroke represents a surge in economic activity, a splash of innovation, and a dash of untapped potential. I believe he can revive the vision and integrity that Ambrose Alli once embodied.

Ighodalo must prepare to take the baton; it will soon be his turn to breast the victory tape.

•Dr. Ighobor is a US-based leadership and communications expert