In a recent Channels TV interview FROM 22:51, Washington Osifo, former commissioner for Energy and Water Resources in Edo State, shed light on the public perception of Asie Ighodalo among Edo residents. Osifo articulated the concerns that many in the state harbored about Ighodalo’s candidacy.
“The only thing Edo people had against Asue Ighodalo was the fact that he was coming the same way Obaseki came,” Osifo stated, drawing a parallel between Ighodalo and the current governor’s initial reception.
Elaborating on this sentiment, Osifo explained, “We saw him as a stranger who wasn’t in Benin, he had no business in Benin, he had no building in Benin.” This statement underscores the importance that Edo residents place on local ties and community involvement.
The former commissioner suggested that this perceived lack of connection to Benin City led to skepticism about Ighodalo’s ability to understand and address local concerns. “Therefore, this man dealt with Edo people, he had no sympathy,” Osifo concluded, implying that the absence of deep-rooted local connections translated to a perceived lack of empathy in the eyes of many residents.
Osifo’s comments highlight a critical aspect of political dynamics in Edo State: the significance of familiarity and local investment in establishing trust between political figures and the communities they aspire to lead. This perspective offers insight into the challenges faced by candidates perceived as outsiders and underscores the value that Edo residents place on local ties and community engagement in their political representatives.
As the political landscape in Edo State continues to evolve, these insights from Osifo provide a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing public opinion and voter sentiment in the region….Sêe – Morê