General Charles Arhiavbere, a contender in the 2024 Edo gubernatorial race,under the All Progressive Congress, APC, has pledged to dismantle the prevailing influence of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State politics.
Airhiavbere who made this announcement to journalists shortly after submitting his nomination and expression of interest form in Abuja, said I wanted to partner with Kogi to develop this bridge though we couldn’t raise funding, we didn’t have the necessary muscles to make it work, this is are some of the things i intend to do in Edo state.
Arhiavbere emphasized his determination to shake up the established political order, highlighting his intent to foster greater inclusivity and representation across all regions of Edo State.
Despite being from Edo South, Arhiavbere stressed the importance of unity and ensuring that all segments of the state are adequately represented in governance.
Drawing on his extensive experience and understanding of Edo’s political dynamics, Arhiavbere outlined strategic plans to challenge the dominance of the PDP, particularly in regions where the party has historically held sway.
With a focus on grassroots mobilization and coalition-building, Arhiavbere aims to rally support from diverse segments of the electorate, transcending traditional party lines.
He highlighted the urgent need for improved security measures in Edo State, advocating for the integration of modern technologies such as robotics, cameras, drones, and artificial intelligence to enhance public safety.
Furthermore, Arhiavbere stressed the importance of infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity in the state. He proposed the establishment of a state infrastructure development commission empowered to engage with development partners and oversee projects aimed at improving transportation, education, healthcare, and other essential sectors.
Addressing the issue of unemployment, Arhiavbere emphasized the need to harness the state’s human capital and promote vocational training programs to equip youths with the skills needed for gainful employment and entrepreneurship.
He expressed confidence in his ability to revitalize the economy and create opportunities for sustainable development from his first day in office.
“I think we can do it differently, you have robotics, you have cameras, today we have drones, and artificial intelligence that can bring security to the people.There are some countries, they have operational rooms, anything happening anywhere it is known, these are the new technology that i will introduce that will make the people comfortable.
“There are so many of our children in Diaspora who want to come home, i also have some of my children when i served in Washington, and they turn to ask me every day that is Nigeria safe enough for us to come back home and i said yes come home. That negative presentation of this country and in our state, we have a lot of people in Diaspora who want to come home to invest, so that takes me to the next pillar of my agenda, which is the infrastructure development of my state.
“You can’t but encourage people by giving it a legal backing and on that note, i intend to take through the state House of Assembly pass a bill to approve the new state infrastructure development commission. This commission will be empowered to go into agreement with development partners, those who are interested in satellite towns, those who are interested in moving people out of the railroad.
“Those who are interested in road, there’s no reason why you are in the states and you’re still afraid that the governor will start a road in four, five years and cannot complete it. But the commission, now different from the powers of the ministry, will accomplish it in terms of schools, in terms of vocational training centers, hospitals, these are infrastructural development platforms that our foreign partners are interested in.
“In 2012 one of the things i was very interested in is bridging the River Niger from Idah to Agenebode this project is still very fresh because as of 2017, I wanted to partner with Kogi to develop this bridge though we couldn’t raise funding, we didn’t have the necessary muscles to make it work, this is are some of the things i intend to do in Edo state.Infrastructure will give you money, if well arranged and there is no what i can call political will to work
Let’s now go to the economic prosperity that has to do with the people of Edo state ,one of the things we have most and best in Edo state is capital, human capital.And how do we develop them ICT driven, Edo states is a transit state if you’re going to the east you must stop.
“So, this is one of the things we must do, all our children going out of school for lack of money, i think we have the capacity to make sure our children they have vocation it is not all the time you’ve done from school and get employed.I just left NDDC as it’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration and i discovered that we in the Niger Delta still have a lot to do of which Edo state is one of them.
“So, i think with what i have seen on ground, we can change the unemployment level, we can change the unemployment figures, we can also change and multiply the economic prosperity of women, even the development goals to fight for this.How do you assess them if you don’t have your counterpart funding?
“And these are areas i intend to concentrate on, to make sure that the economic prosperity of Edo people rises from my first day of taking over the leadership of the state.
