By Ohis Akhigbemudu
The All Progressives Congress, APC in the next 48hours will pick its flag bearer for the Edo guber primaries slated for February 17th.
The APC needs not to travel all the way to Sokoto in search of a candidate when it already has Senator Professor Oserheimen Osunbor in its sokoto ready to be activated to wrest power from the PDP controlled state.
Osunbor as it stands today is the only marketable brand in the shelf of the APC that can galvanize support with little or nothing for the party to take over from PDP.
He is the only weapon that can be launched into action because he has no baggage of any sort that could obstruct APC in the guber polls slated for September. No EFCC records and an unblemished 17 and half months in the saddle as number one citizen in the Heartbeat of the Nation.
Edo APC delegates need not be reminded that Osunbor touched virtually all the economic sectors that were already gathering momentum before he was shoved aside.
Beneficiaries see him on the streets of Benin reminding Osunbor of his good deeds while he was in office.
Freedom of choice is mostly entrenched in democracy, but when exercised with interest relegated to the background, it culminates in regrets and gnashing of teeth.
We are once again presented with the ample opportunity to make our voices heard loud and clear in choosing a leader whose actions and inactions will make us look back at the February 17 exercise in either contentment or misery.
So much has been said and written about Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, his qualities, and the immense good his candidature can do for the APC in its quest to reclaim the reins from the PDP.
His qualities are innumerable, which, rolled into one, can be aptly termed “servant leadership”.
Now, I would explain what a servant leader is and let anyone explain why and how Senator Osunbor doesn’t fit the bill. In the absence of any contrary opinions, all Edo State APC members obviously have no better option than the professor of law as it concerns beneficial governance.
Servant leadership is a leadership style and philosophy whereby an individual interacts with others to achieve authority rather than power.
Senator Osunbor exhibited this trait that is uncommon in an African democracy as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and later as the Executive Governor of Edo State for 18 months, during which time he engendered synergistic relationship, promoted innovation, empowed employees, and ensured the well-being of the generality of Edo people indiscriminately.
He has also demonstrated characteristics such as empathy, listening, stewardship, and commitment to the personal growth of others.
My dear APC voters, many other aspirants have a leader-first perspective. They aim to gain control quickly, driven by the desire and prospects for material gain or influence.
Senator Osunbor has never been indicted for misappropriation of funds in his almost two decades of holding prime political positions. Even upon attaining a position of governance in 2007, he became more renowned and revered for prioritising service over personal gains and listening to followers carefully to better understand their needs.
While other aspirants may be spinning money and seeking endorsement from godfathers, Senator Osunbor is primarily concerned with how his efforts will uplift those who are underrepresented or are from lower economic standing, which is essential in seeking a position of democratic control.
Given this glowing attribute, Senator Osunbor has earned the respect of all Edo people who see him as the best model and would defy all odds to vote for him come September 21.
Why would any APC voter overlook this gem on February 17?