Edo 2024 And Esan Agenda: Who The Hell Does Adams Oshiomhole Think He Is? 

I do not have the temperament to accommodate people you are highly conceited and disrespectful of others and this is without apology. By this, individuals who like to play God, readily come to mind. Particularly, those who do not remember their humble past as a result of where providence had catapulted them. Sen. Adams Oshiomhole belongs to this class. 

Yes, he was a Labour leader who happens to be blessed with some power of oratory, though, no formal education can be linked to him. That is what it is, until politics threw him up about 16 years ago, with an Esan man as a spring board. 

The 2007 election that brought him to power after a protracted legal battle, was clearly won by an Esan man in the person of Prof. Osariemen Osunbor. But, the infighting within the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the platform under which Osunbor contested and won, paved the way for Adams Oshiomhole to achieve an easy victory in the appellate courts. Rumours had it then that, Anthony Aneni, now of blessed memory and a big shot in the PDP, supplied all the ‘weapons’ with which Oshiomhole achieved his infamous legal victory. 

It is on record that, a few months into his administration, the same Adams Oshiomhole held a rally tagged ‘who owns the land’ at the Sam Ogbemudia sports complex in Benin City, to denounce Chief Anthony Aneni and other PDP leaders, on whose backs he comfortably rode to power. He didn’t stop there. All the political appointees that had the recommendations of those leaders, were all relieved of their jobs in a matter of days. He also engendered a strong media campaign of calumny

against Anthony Aneni and the entire PDP leadership in Edo State. The Esan nation was not only denied of political appointments, it is also on record that, no meaningful projects were executed there, compared to what he did in the other two senatorial districts of the state. To put it clearly, the guy took delight in loathing the people of EsanLand. And it was with passion. Ironically, this is irrespective of the fact that, Esan blood partly flows in the veins of his children, given their maternity. 

Well over a decade down the line, one would have expected that, Adams Oshiomhole should have purged himself of the unwarranted hatred he habours against the Esan people of Edo state. Recent events point to the fact that, this is far from coming to an end. With or without Adams Oshiomhole, Esan would produce the next governor of Edo state. Equity, fairness and justice demand it. 

Edo State like other states of the Federation stands on a tripod of three senatorial districts. Since the birth of the current republic, Edo South has had two governors doing two terms each, with the second being the incumbent. In addition, they also have had one of their own doing two terms as a deputy governor during the Oshiomhole regime. Also, during the period under review, Edo North Senatorial District had produced a two term governor as well as two deputy governors, the second being the incumbent. In all of this political equation, the Esan people of Edo Central Senatorial District, had only enjoyed barely 12 turbulent months as governor. 

So, as the next election beckons, this is the scenario before every person of good conscience. Yes, agreed that, Edo Central Senatorial District lacks the population or demography to win a gubernatorial contest on its own. Exactly where the next conversation begins. Esan people can’t not be reduced to mere spectators in political matters of Edo state. We are far too celebral and sophisticated for that, irrespective of our demographic disadvantages. Equity demands that the other two Senatorial districts, willingly cede power to Edo Central. 

Here is where i have serious problem with Oshiomhole’s selfish and divisive brand of politics. Who the hell does he think he is without the support of others? Despite the fact that, the Esans had always voted PDP, in his time, Adams Oshiomhole to a large extent, enjoy the good will and support of a sizeable number of Esan people during his time. In the light of this, no one expected Oshiomhole to have worked against the emergence of Sen. Monday Okpebholo as the APC flag bearer in the next governorship election in the state. Alas, he did. Rather than work for Okpebholo, he had an evil alliance with Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to produce a parallel candidate in the mode and shape of Representative Denis Idahosa. Can you imagine another Edo South person, being primed to take over from an incumbent who is also from the same district?

Think about this!  Deeply reflect on all the scenarios. It can’t be said to be fair, right, just and equitable. This can only be a product of darkness, evil and diabolism. It is what Adams Oshiomhole represents. In case he forgets, other parties would most certainly produce Esan candidates 

and then, would come the true test of his vaunted popularity. He also needs reminding that, no single individual has a monopoly of violence, thuggery and other vices, as they had always been his way since his political journey.