Obaseki strongly believes in continuity of People's Democratic Party (PDP) policies, programmes and projects after he leaves office on November 11, 2024. That is why he handpicked the two PDP gubernatorial candidates.

Today, if you have been following Edo PDP administration you will know that the PDP hates to genuinely invest in education. This is why it is operating a basic education policy that is not free and JSS neither a scholarship, bursary or loan scheme for post-basic students of Edo State origin as a strategic policy initiative.

Governor Ambrose Alli (1979'--1983) of the defunct Bendel State didn't have resources for a scholarship policy, neither did he like a students' loan scheme.. So, he floated a comprehensive bursary scheme for all Bendelites in Nigerian post secondary institutions.

Currently, in a smaller Edo State created on August 27, 1991 the neo-liberal, capitalist PDP administration of Obaseki has no time for a scholarship, bursary or loan scheme.

What does his government do? He selectively gives scholarships to his political associates only.

For instance, he awarded government scholarships to children of Afegbua and Ogbemudia when they passed on some years ago.

This action is in line with Edo PDP policy of cutting welfarist, social spending as well as not subsidizing higher education in line with IMF/World Bank imperialist doctrine.

Also, it is this policy that explains why Obaseki don't show compassion with loans, bursaries or scholarships for Edo students while sweating it out in higher institutions.

But, as soon as some of them graduate with a first class degree, the Mechanistic, capitalist in Obaseki's PDP administration now "sees" value in using them for their selfish goal in enlarging their weak political base. A case of reaping where he did not sow.

A political party like the PDP in Edo State which does not invest in the university education of its citizens but takes delight only in harvesting and recruiting some of them with first class degrees into the Edo State Civil Service does not deserve students' votes. Reject the party at the poll for disgracing Edo people considered as a land of academic wisdom.

All said, it is already common knowledge that Edo PDP adopts a conservative approach to social spending on education in pursuit of neo-liberalism and IMT policy.

Hence, it is not also surprising that Obaseki allegedly reneged on scholarship he offered a primary six pupil in Benin city for her extraordinary performance at a public event as reported by Area Parliament Programme of Rhythm Radio, Benin on March 27, 2021.

Let us assume the scholarship offer was made on the heated passion of the moment. A safe way out of the situation would have been to convert the scholarship offer to a bursary award or a public or personal cash support scheme to the pupil. Unfortunately, Obaseki adopted neither of this option.

Meanwhile, it was reported in Daily Trust of October 16 ,2021 that Senator Tokunbo Abiru awarded hundreds of bursaries to students of his constituency in Lagos State. Hmmmm, different states and individuals, different strokes!!!

Lest I forget, an inmate at IDP Camp at Uhogua in Edo State has bagged a scholarship to pursue his Ph.D in the United States following his obtaining a first class degree at Edo University, Uzairue. That is the right thing to do rather than sweet talk him to join Edo State Civil Service as Obaseki does.

You may at this juncture ask in surprise: So, Edo State has a university? Yes, of course! Hence, enlightened people wondered aloud why Obaseki did not give first class graduates from Edo a more favourable option of automatic employment at Edo State University, Uzairue in cognisance with the Theory of Comparative Job advantage.

Well, for some of us knowledgeable in the absurd paradigms of Obaseki, his actions do not shock us.

Once more, here is another absurd action of the PDP-led administration of Obaseki. It is the disguised casualization of teachers in Edo State in the 21st century all because of his MISERnomics- certainly not conventional ECOnomics.

Indeed, take a look at EDOSTARS Fellows. It is no more than the casualization of teachers. A sort of irregular, disposable employees that are different from the regular permanent employees who enjoy all the full benefits of civil/public servants.

Behind this capitalist rush for cheap casual labour is the government-'s resolve to restrict employment.

For instance, instead of employing teachers for the EDOBEST Programme, the government called for volunteers among existing teaching employees in the civil service to come over and join EdoBest Programme. See, the Nigerian Observer of March,14, 2018 with the screaming headline: EDO GOVT CALLS FOR 300 VOLUNTEER TEACHERS.

Subsequently, the government launched the ICT-based digital EDOSTARS Fellows Scheme on the 2021 World Teachers's Day with fanfare.

Some of us criticised the re-introduction of labour casualization in the education industry alone.

Then, the PDP administration of Obaseki in 2024 advertised for teachers promising to absorb EDOSTARS Fellows fully into the civil service.

On August 17, 2024 the government announced in the Nigerian Observer of the same day that it had recruited 5,500 teachers for the EdoBest Programme.

In the newspaper report, the state government revealed that out of the new 5,500 teachers recruited 2,500 will be permanent government teachers while 3000 will refill the approved EDOSTAR position and start a new 3- year fellowship. What the PDP government is saying that Edo State singularly has 3,000 casual teachers in the EdoBest Programme.

Now, do a check and you will find there is no casusl staff in other professional cadres in Edo Civil Service. Therefore, why should the government only restrict the practice only to the teaching profession? Na see finish of a discriminatory, doublespeak insincere PDP government led by Obaseki with a penchant for exploiting the labour of teachers.

In other states of Nigeria, no casual teachers are recruited into the civil service.

So far, all I have done is that under Obaseki there is no financial empowerment for Edo students in tertiary institution. Also, he has bastardized the hallowed public teaching profession by casualizing it.

Godson Asue Ighodalo and Osarodion Ogie will continue the policy. That is why they should be rejected in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 election.

Students and teachers, instead, votes massively to Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa who will give students loans as well as other soft financial empowerment; and put an end to job casualization in the civil service.

When the wicked are in office, the people mourn. But when APC righteous leaders like Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa win and are in power at Osadebey Avenue all Edo people will rejoice!!!