When Godwin Obaseki was going through his bitter travails in the hands of Oshiomhole in 2020, it was to Esan people he turned for succour. He first sought refuge in the PDP, which is the spiritual and traditional political party of the Esan people. Thereafter, he had a meeting with Esan people and promised them that if they supported and voted him for a second term, he would support an Esan to succeed him as Governor. Godwin Obaseki not only fulfilled this promise, he ensured the person was a pristine candidate who was prepared and ready to be Governor of Edo state.
Obaseki’s choice of an Esan in the person of Asuerinme Ighodalo one hundred percent determined the U-turn made by the APC in handing their ticket to an Esan. Before then, their leading aspirants were Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Denis Idahosa, both from Edo south. Today, the two major Parties in Nigeria have presented two Esans as their candidates for this election, but it could have very much not be so if the leader of Edo APC, Adams Oshiomhole, had his way.
Adams Oshiomhole went on a tangent on National TV in a bizarre show of animosity and bitterness, to disparage Esan and Esan people, that they could not win Governorship election in Edo state and therefore did not deserve the ticket of a major political party. That they were a minority.
In the final analysis, It would be sad, showing a lack of integrity, lack of nobility and foresight, putting it mildly, for Esan to choose to support and validate Adams Oshiomhole, a man who has always shown open hatred for them and fought naked to stop the governorship from going to Esan, over Godwin Obaseki, a man who fought for an Esan to ermerge candidate of his Party, forcing the APC to stop Oshiomhole’s shenanigans and support an Esan for their ticket as well.
CULLED FROM THE ESSAY “A FERVENT CALL TO THE ESAN SPIRIT OF YORE TO ARISE AND SHINE.” By Daniel A. Noah Osa-Ogbegie, Esq., PNM FCAI