Thank goodness- the debate idea appears the only thing that has enlivened the completely bland campaigns ahead of the elections slated for next month. The recent debate organised by the Channels Televisions for the governorship candidates in Lagos State was an eye opener. If indeed, debates centrally form parts of the factors that enhance the chances of individual candidate vis-à-vis their platforms, then, it was clear who was on the lead, at least, at the time of the exercise.In the exercise, one thing was particularly instructive- and that was the final submission of the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and sitting governor of the Lagos State , Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola. The governor, who had earlier incurred the wrath of one of the aspirants seeking his job- an old man to be precise, Bashorun J.K Randle, over what could best pass for personal issues, said he had no problems with his co-contestants, some of whom he admitted were older. But his worry, he said, is the age of their ideas.Without prejudice to the governor who showed class with precision, even though some of his submissions fell short of facts, the performance of the other candidates indicated clearly that it was either they were not prepared for the job or that their ideas are not in tune with the reality of time. The ideas of the government of the state in the last four years have been worthy of note, particularly when situated within the confines of the South-West zone. But if placed side by side with other states where serious life transforming developments are in progress, then, the Lagos experience is a childs place.One of such states is Rivers. Without any untoward media exposure, Governor Rotimi Amaechi has delivered. That is the constant chorus on the lips of the people of the state. He has taken governance beyond the pedestrian level. He has upped the ante and has placed a benchmark for what should define, in the true sense, development of any sane society. It is, therefore, not strange that opposition is practically non-existent in the state. It is not an abnormal situation. It is just a development spurred by the prevailing reality.Then, imagine a debate for prospective governors in Rivers. From politics to business of governance, Amaechi has continued to live above board. What then, would his challengers identify as his undoing to instigate the electorate against him None that I can think of!Let us ponder on the education sector. Would anyone say for example that the completed 250 new model primary schools, with fully equipped libraries, auditoriums and extensive staff facilities exist only in the papers, or that they did not meet the required standard Or, would they say the additional ongoing construction of 24 new model secondary schools in each of the local government areas of the state are unnecessary Maybe, perhaps, someone might say the project which cost the state nothing less than N3.6billion was overbloated.Then, we will be propelled to request for a comparative initiative. It will interest the reading public that each of the schools in question is by any standard, that of medium-sized university campuses anywhere in Nigeria . They also have equipped science laboratories, theatres, dormitories, cricket-size sports fields and demonstration farms. To complement this initiative is the free distribution of books and school uniforms to students, since it was conceived under the free education scheme.The health sector also comes handy. But if you are conversant with Rivers, you would again ask; what debate can we initiate here Suffice it to say this is one sector of the system that has received significant attention because of its importance to all, irrespective of age and class. So far completed in this sector are about 100 of the designated 160 new, fully-equipped primary health care centres to cope with a new free health programme for everybody living in the state without any discrimination. What would anyone say is wrong with 200 new doctors who have been hired to augment the existing 200 Please, note that in addition, government has embraced a mass recruitment drive of manpower to cope with the ongoing expansion with a certain degree of projection into the future. The joker in the health sector, however, is the plan and the future site of an ultra- modern, state-of-the art referral Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Hospital. Thus, in a campaign debate, one wonders what the opposition would tell the people of Rivers State that Amaechi has not done well in the health sector, given the spur and commitment to the development of that aspect of the system.Unfortunately, the people already have a basis for comparison. They had a governor before Amaechi who was in the saddle for eight years. So, without prompting, they can tell whether or not their lives have changed in the last three and a half years.Debate in the area of infrastructure would have been most interesting. It is saying the obvious to state that infrastructure in the state has received a greater attention from the Amaechi-led administration.Government, so far, has completed a total of 46 major roads. These are not inclusive of the extensive road dualisation network that is taking place in the Port Harcourt metropolis and environ. Yet, it is also not part of the construction of 10 new bridges, four new flyovers, seven major land reclamation/shore protection projects and an unprecedented network of rural roads in all 23 local government areas of the state. So, as an electorate, what would any other candidate, who perhaps, has no record of achievement say to dissuade me from voting this performing team in the state Well, maybe something out of this world. But I am yet to see.The concept of the new Greater Port Harcourt City under a new Greater Port Harcourt master plan would throw any co-debater off-balance. What about the proposed mono-rail transport system designed to help solve Port Harcourt s vast transportation problem which is under construction Need I say more The knockout in a debate with Amaechi would have been the Games Village project. It is due for inauguration soon. By the time these and more are flaunted in a debate, Amaechis re-election would be sealed almost immediately.The clincher, I surmise, would be the prudence and transparency of the governor in the management of the finances of the state. The easiest way to offend Amaechi, for those of us who know him, is to suggest a misuse of the state funds. He guards the state finances as though, they are his personal monies.This is believed to have aided the significant changes that are visible in the state. small wonder, S and P rated Rivers as B stable and Fitch placed it on a steady B positive and for two years. This is why Amaechis idea of saving for the future of his state may have surprised no one. In the light of the above, there is no way a debate in Rivers will not be issue-based. Standard is set already. And if this is so, does anyone care to challenge Amaechi with an alternative plan that would outshine his revolution Better imagined than instigated! The debate in Rivers is already in progress. Alternative position is what we are yet to see.Agunloye wrote in from Port Harcourt.
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