By Douglas Ogbankwa Esq
It was Dr Framz Frannon the Algerian Revolutionary that posited many years ago that :
Every Generation out of relative obscurity , will discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it
History beckons on Edo State as Senator Bassey Otu, the Egg Head that superintended over the final stages of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2024 Governorship Primaries and the Governor of Cross Rivers State declared Senator Monday Okpebholo winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primaries .
Stormy as it was, his emergence was a victory of the rule of law over the rule of men, brain over brawl and proprietary over proprietary. It is a reassurance that Nigeria can thrive in due process, if we followed carefully and strategically the procedure of the Rule of Law.
Senator Monday Okpebholo (M.O.), brings into the Edo 2024 Governorship Elections fresh vistas and trail blazing ideas A Man of few words, profound administrative acumen and tremendous respect for all , Senator Monday Okpeholo (M.O.), treats the sweeper, the same way, he treats the Speaker.
This is one thing that is needed in Edo State at this auspicious moment. A man that has empathy, to put simply, a man that has human feelings. That feels the pulse of the people, a man that listens and indeed a man of the people.
We need a Governor that has real and local knowledge of the problems of the people, not one that uses artificial intelligence, which can not answer to the complex milieu of the Edo story. We need a Governor that can speak and hear the language of his people and not one that will need an interpreter to talk to his tribe.
A lot of message and substance is lost in the interpretation process , that is why you must hear from the source. With Senator Monday Okpebholo, you will hear from him directly and in your language. You do not want communications with old people in Edo State to be like comic and sarcastic NTA Enugu Sitcom-Echuku.
You need to be sure that you will not wake up one morning and a demolition team is unleashed on your Communities taking over the whole of your communities, including your shrines and the graves of your father’s, grand fathers and great grand fathers .You now ask the question “Who are the real lions and tigers”.
From Uneme Erhurhun, (where my maternal grandfather -Solomon Ajesobiolowo Adebowale the Baba Adinni of St Luke Church. Erhunrhun, comes from ), to Uromi, from Ogida to Ososo , from Iguobazuwa to Irrua, I see a sigh of relief that a new dawn beckons . WE SHALL ALL BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR CHOICES, as we have been doing in the last fee years .
Senator Monday Okpeholo (M.O.) shall engage the very successful and thriving Edo Diaspora population, to organise their investments, into the varied opportunities in Edo .He shall regurgitate a vast security architecture to provide security for every one in a way that the Edo Diaspora Population will find Edo State attractive for investment.
Edo is the most blessed land in Nigeria. Those currently running the State should go and wash their eyes with water from the Ikpoba River so thar they can see properly , because the boundless opportunities in Edo State is as far as the eyes can see .
In Benin City, around the Utesi Axis, with out any regard for the locals or local content, Some Chinese Shylocks are exporting glass , doors and tiles all around the world .The red sand in Edo is perhaps the best in the World .Oben Community, off Sapele Road, Benin City and Orhiomwon , both have the largest concentrate of gas any where in Africa .There is nothing to show for this as the locals are wallowing in Poverty .The headquarters of the exploration activities of the NNPC is in Benin City. What we have is capital flight ,as people fly in and out of Benin to pick up their checks .The only money that stays in Benin ,are monies paid in hotels and lounges
The Gelegele Sea Port exists only in an MOU.That is a project that is capable of turning ,Benin into a Port City, with Benin City Phase 2 being built across the Atlantic Ocean ,with resorts and beach houses .The Prospects of an International Airport in Benin City ,with the Benin Airport being expanded , will make Benin an Aviation Hub in Africa .What about the prospects of cultural tourism, with people coming from all over the world to see the Benin artefacts and even visit the revered Palace of the Oba of Benin ,the Benin Moat and the Igun Hub of Bronze Casting .
We have to move from the commissioned uncompleted Shoprite , to getting things right. Stop the cult killings and make our Youth to handle the surveillance contracts for oil facilities, being currently done by outsiders .
The Prospects of Edo Film Villlages to be scattered all across the State , with the likes of Lancelot Imasuen ,ready to hold the Benin International Film Festival with support of State .
Senator Monday Okpebholo (M.O.)’s campaign shall be issue-based .We will answer insults with issues and it shall be violence free .After voting on Election Day we may sleep as APC,PDP or Labour Members , but we will wake up as Edolites .
Wait for it ,with Senator Monday Okpeholo (M.O.),it shall truly become a beautiful Edo and a glorious Edo , not the one that exists only on the Edo Sate Item.
It was Professor Alver Vince (A.V.) Dicey that said :
The vicissitudes of a capricious existence is prodigiously startling in the manner it presents itself
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, sent this piece. You can reach him via douglasogbankwa@gmail.com
