Tell them that this is not merely about John Yakubu. It is about the restoration of the Esan voice. It is about history, heritage, competence, courage and the responsibility of one generation to preserve the sacrifices of those who came before it.
Tell them that when the late Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, one of Esanland’s most illustrious sons, rose in 1953 at just 30 years of age to move the historic motion for self-government, he did more than make a parliamentary intervention. He placed Esan courage and intellectual conviction firmly in the story of Nigeria’s march towards independence.
Tell them that when Admiral Augustus Aikhomu rose to become Chief of General Staff and de facto Vice President of Nigeria under General Ibrahim Babangida, Esanland again occupied an important place at the highest level of national leadership.
Tell them that when Chief Tony Anenih became one of the most formidable political strategists of his generation and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, the party that produced Chief M.K.O. Abiola in the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, the Esan voice was once again impossible to ignore.
That is our heritage.
We are descendants of a people who were never destined to whisper at the margins of Nigerian politics. Esan people have historically contributed to the national conversation, and Edo Central deserves representation worthy of that inheritance.
There was also a period when the representation of Edo Central commanded considerable national attention. Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, in particular, gave Esanland a strong, articulate and intellectually grounded presence in the Nigerian Senate. His representation reflected a period when the voice of Edo Central resonated beyond the boundaries of the senatorial district and commanded attention within the wider national political conversation.
For many of us, however, the years following Professor Osunbor’s departure from the Senate in 2007 have created a deep yearning for the restoration of that quality of representation: a Senator with the courage to speak, the intellect to engage, the experience to contribute meaningfully and the capacity to make the voice of Esanland heard again.
In 2027, history beckons once again.
And this time, Hon. John Yakubu presents an opportunity to begin that restoration.
Yakubu represents a proposition founded not simply on ambition, but on experience, accessibility and a record of grassroots leadership.
As Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, his administration left behind visible projects and development initiatives that remain part of the conversation about his public service.
Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Well done is better than well said.”
That principle should define the kind of representation Edo Central demands in 2027. We do not merely need another Senator who can speak beautifully about development. We need one who understands that public office must ultimately be measured by performance, accessibility and tangible results.
But leadership is not performance alone. It must possess a human heart.
Martin Luther King Jr. reminded humanity that “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
That is where empathy becomes indispensable. A Senator must understand the tears of the struggling mother, the frustration of the unemployed graduate, the aspirations of our young people, the difficulties confronting our farmers and traders, and the quiet expectations of ordinary Esan men and women who simply want government to remember that they exist.
This is the leadership we believe John Yakubu can offer.
A leadership that listens.
A leadership that speaks when Esanland needs a voice.
A leadership that engages the media rather than retreats from public accountability.
A leadership that treats constituency resources as a sacred public trust.
A leadership that understands that political office is not an inheritance, a private estate or an avenue for personal enrichment, but a temporary privilege bestowed by the people.
We support John Yakubu because we believe Edo Central deserves a Senator who will work, speak, engage, advocate and remain accountable.
We support him because the achievements of Enahoro, Aikhomu, Anenih and the distinguished Esan men and women who served before our generation must not become merely beautiful chapters in our history books. Their examples should challenge us to raise another generation capable of carrying the Esan banner with dignity.
This campaign should therefore never be about insulting those who disagree with us or diminishing other aspirants. Democracy flourishes through competing ideas and the freedom of our people to make their choice.
Our argument is simply this:
We have examined the man. We have considered his experience. We have looked at his antecedents. We have considered the moment before us. And we believe John Yakubu is prepared.
Let the Esan voice rise again.
Let Edo Central reclaim its place in national political discourse.
Let representation become service again.
Let performance replace empty promises.
And when they ask you, “Why John Yakubu?”
Tell them:
Because Yakubu will work.
Yakubu will speak.
Yakubu will listen.
Yakubu will represent.
Yakubu will remain accessible.
Yakubu will defend the interests of Edo Central.
And by the grace of God, Yakubu will deliver.
JOHN YAKUBU FOR EDO CENTRAL SENATE 2027
Restoring the Voice. Renewing the Legacy. Representing the People.
Dcn. Amb. Darlington Okpebholo Ray, a Journalist, Medis Consultant, Sociopolitical Commentator and Human Rights Activist writes from Greenwich, London, United Kingdom.
