I Am In Race To Restructure Edo - Comrade Emma Iboi

By Simeon Osajie 

Action Democratic Party (ADP) governorship candidate in the September 19th election, Comrade Emmanuel Iboi is a dynamic youth who has vowed to protect and represent the youths in this current dispensation.  In this interview with the9jatrend,  he gave an insight on what he intends to do for Edolites if given the  opportunity to take the number one seat in Edo state. Excerpt:

 Can we meet you?

Yes of course. I am Comrade Emmanuel Iboi, from Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. I grew up in Benin City. I attended Ighile Group of Schools, where I obtained my Primary and Secondary School Certificates. Thereafter, I proceeded to the University of Benin where I studied and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science. I started my political career when I was in the University of Benin. I was a Personal Assistant to Prof. Peter Nwangu, a former Presidential aspirant. I also worked with the Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, at the Presidential Campaign Office. From there I got an appointment with First City Monumental Bank  (FCMB) before I came to contest Edo Governorship election.

 

How long have you been in politics?

I have been in politics for four years, and my interest in politics has always been the welfare of Edo people. That is why the welfare of every Edo citizens is my concern.

What prompted you to contest for the governorship position?      

Some people are actually asking me why I choose to be governor, instead of beginning with councillor’s position. The question is that: If I’m not contesting the governorship position now, when will I do so? I grew up in Edo State and I know the state is not in good shape. So, my decision to contest is base on the  decay in our state, especially in the areas of agriculture and industrialization.

Do you think your party has the political structures to win the election?

My party, Action Democratic Party (ADP) has the structures and that is the reason I came to the party. As I speak now, we have over 200 campaign teams in each of the 18 local government areas in the state. Just yesterday, we received over 2,000 decampees to our party right here in our secretariat  and very soon our programmes will be unveiled to the Edo people. With this present structure of our party, I’m very confident that we can unseat the present government in power.

If elected, how do you intend to govern Edo State?

We will work with experts who can bring in infrastructure and investment to the state. We will boost the agricultural sector in Edo State through interest free loan and subsidize fertilizers for the farmers to enhance bumper harvest. We will make sure we revive the economy and put it on a sound footing. We will also make sure there is 24 hours power supply. We are not going to rely on BEDC, but look for a way to generate power supply to the state. We would come up with solar power supply for our communities, especially to those without electricity. We are already making contacts with investors who would bring solar system at affordable rates, to enable those medium businesses survive. A country where power supply is not regular would impact negatively on the economy and discourage investors from coming.  

We are going to engage in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to create industries that would assist our farmers to preserve their harvest before sales and those who want to process their produce can also do so, and this could create revenue for the state. We will not make promises we cannot fulfil. Teacher’s welfare will be taken seriously to make sure education is placed in a better perspective with regular payment of salaries. We will make sure there is proper market structure where there will be standby fire fighters equipment to combat any fire incidence whenever it occurs. Because, if the necessary things are put in place in our markets, the traders would not be losing their goods regularly to fire incidence as we experienced presently in the state.

 Do you believe in thuggery? If not what is your advice to those youths who involve in violence and thuggery during election?

I do not believe in thuggery. That is one of the reasons that propelled me into contesting this election. Because youths are being used and dumped by politicians, while peanuts ranging from N1,000 to N2,000 are given to them as pay back to steal ballot boxes and intimidate the electorate. Only to be remembered in four years by politician to do the same dirty job. If youths are involved, in governance none of them would think of thuggery or other vices. 

They do thuggery in other to generate income for their livelihood. I promise to give the youths a good representation and make sure they take over the leadership of the state. If they can support us in ADP in this struggle, we would not only empower them, but will also be involved in governance.

What attracted you to this political party (ADP}?

What attracted me to ADP is because gives their platform to the youths and women to actively participate in politics with structures to deliver any candidates. The other parties are afraid of ADP and that was why recently there was a media publication alleging that we have collapsed our party structure to PDP. But thank God our National Chairman, Engr. Y. Y. Sani and our most respected Edo state party chairman, Gabriel Olorutobi quickly debunked it through press briefings and described it as a cheap blackmail. So, ADP is a good platform for every youth and women in Edo State. Among the numerous youths in the state we have over 700,000 card carrying members and they are ready to deliver.

Are you ready to face other candidates for debate?  

If they call for a debate today, I’m ready to face other candidates. I can see that most of the candidates in the other political parties do not have manifestoes. If you see our manifestoes every citizen of Edo State will buy into it. Certainly, that debate will give us the opportunity to unveil our programmes to the Edo people. I have no doubt that after the debate, our party would have succeed in winning the heart of the Edo people. I wish other party candidates would not shy away from the debate. I challenge them to come out with their manifestoes.  

Your advice to the electorate.

I will advise the electorate to vote wisely. They must avoid promise and fail from the politicians. They must not be allowed to be used negatively for this election, because, it is the same old stories they are still bringing to the table. They must examine the candidates before taken their decision on whom to vote for.  Edo citizens must breathe fresh air.

Thank you.

You are welcome.