By Anslem Okoeguale 

The Edo 2024 governorship election has come and gone. With the conclusion, it is expected that every stakeholder, particularly those in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area, must respect the need to uphold basic and sacred tenets of democracy. One of them dictates that even in the face of a bitter outcome, it is incumbent on everyone to respect the outcome while exploring available democratic and legal options to redress all perceived infractions.

Admirably, Dr (Barr) Asuerinmen Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, adjudged by the electoral umpire to have lost to Sen Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has demonstrated an unambiguous understanding of this requirement by heading to the court over alleged electoral malfeasance. However, a bigger challenge appears to be unfolding as some members of his party in the town have taken up the odious responsibility to push the narrative that Ewohimi people are hostile and intolerant to other views. This is the situation with the manner they conducted themselves before and in the aftermath of the election. 

Ewohimi has come a long way and holds a pride of place among its peers in Esanland. Over the years, it has carved a niche for itself, having developed a worthwhile reputation as a home for all. Added to that is the fact that it has produced great leaders and statesmen whose camaraderie relationship with other people helped in no small measure in fostering the Esan unity, one that has earned the people enormous respect from far and wide, within and outside its immediate geographical location.

Somehow, those who have always stood on the way of the progress of Ewohimi seem to have found a new vista in the bid to legitimize their unwholesome desire to stagnate both the town and people by acting in ways by creating a gulf between the people and their good friends. This, they seek to achieve by creating a bad reputation, knowing full well that a bad reputation is like a poison from which everyone flees.

Truth is, Ewohimi cannot afford to lose the firm grip it has over its old, very solid reputation of being a home for all. That is why it is important for all well-meaning sons and daughters of the town to come together and rein in the retrogressive elements who do not want Ewohimi to relate well with those who can help bring positive developments to the town. They must be stopped from bringing to disrepute the well-earned reputation of the town by creating a very hostile political atmosphere for those holding opposing views. Their ill intention is alien Ewohimi from its genuine friends.  

Prior to the election, these faceless enemies engineered such a hostile atmosphere by creating the impression that the former governor, Sen (Com) Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, is not welcomed in Ewohimi. Some of them went the extra mile to flood the social media space with warnings that they would unleash mayhem if he set his foot in the town. In addition to the threats, they upbraided him in unprintable invective while pushing the false narrative that he is opposed to the progress of the town and people. All said and done, the former governor did not only appear in person, he did so with aplomb as the people hailed and eulogized him.

The outcome could not have been otherwise given the developmental benefits he extended to the town while he was governor of the state. It is on record that he was very equitable and fair to Ewohimi in the distribution of public offices and development projects. In addition to giving the town no less than three Commissioner’s slots and several other juicy positions, including those in the EDSOPADEC, he paid more than enough attention to the rehabilitation of roads and other public infrastructure in the town, to the delight and gratitude of the very appreciative people. In addition to constructing and rehabilitating a number of roads, he built and equipped a befitting General Hospital in the town, one they never had.

The importance of the brand new hospital project, which became the envy of neighboring communities, is better understood when viewed against the backdrop that the people of Ewohimi made numerous unsuccessful attempts, over the course of decades, to have such a facility. Little wonder it was such a relief when it was completed and stocked. With his influence, the facility was commissioned by the current president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with nearby communities accusing the Comrade of being too biased in favour of Ewohimi, obviously because he married a woman from the town. 

Prior to his coming, the road leading from Igueben to Ewohimi was in such an awful state that residents in Okede and Agadaga were cut off from the main town. To access the main town even on bicycles, they had to go through the circuitous Ikeken route. But Sen (Com) Oshiomhole ended their misery by reconstructing the road so well that the people themselves christened it ‘Computer Road’.

The new truth, if the expression is allowed, which enemies of Ewohimi seem to have lose sight of, is that, with his enormous social and political influences, the former governor remains one individual who still has the capacity to direct developments to the town even more than he did while he was governor of the state. This is a fact no true son or daughter can afford to lose sight of. That also explains why he will continue to attract rousing and wholesome to the town any time he chooses to make an appearance in the town because he is always welcomed. Against the wish of the enemies of Ewohimi to create a gulf that is capable of stagnating the town in terms of the much needed development that it deserves, all true sons and daughters of Ewohimi must stand in unity to encourage the former governor in helping the town to achieve its developmental dreams. That is enough reason for the entire people to act with introspection by never losing sight of the development potential inherent in acting civil and appreciative around him particularly now that elections are over. Those attempting to fester disaffection in the town must be told in no uncertain terms that their errant conduct is a no-no because Ewohimi people cannot afford to box themselves or be boxed into becoming a Pariah community in Esanland.

While not taking anything away from the commendable support the incumbent governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, gave in making Dr Ighodalo the candidate of the PDP, it is also important to highlight the fact that it is disingenuous for anyone, inside or outside Ewohimi, to downplay, pretend to forget or even compare the commanding developmental contributions the former made to the current gesture, which is good in itself. The point must be made that the contributions of the former governor to the development of Ewohimi are in a class of their own-so far incomparable. Indeed, apart from the Idumu-Ogoh/Idumu Uguokha Road, there is no other development landmark representing the effort of the incumbent. Sadly, those who benefited from the former governor’s goodwill are core members of those fronting for the enemies and leading the campaign that seeks to push gullible members of the community to project him as insensitive and selfish.

A number of concerned individuals have warned that the errant narrative canvassed by enemies of Ewohimi is an ill wind that would end up setting a dangerous precedent, one that could have the targets reacting in kind, now or in the future. They also warned that in the event of those being targeted becoming victorious in the governorship election, chances are that they could hold such errant and ill-considered actions against the good people of Ewohimi. For instance, although no untoward incident was recorded when the former governor led the APC campaign team to the town while on a tour of Esan South East local Government Area, the retrogressive elements had already delivered a wrong message to the effect that the people had become intolerant to the views of others with whom they are in contest for power. The good thing is that those who know the truth are in no doubt that the message does not, in any way, reflect the position of the good people of the town because it is senseless and ill-advised.

The good people of Ewohimi have always been and will remain very appreciative of those who stand with them in times of need. The former governor is one of such individuals. Even more so, they will remain tolerant, as they have always been, with every shade of opinion despite political differences. To that extent, they will never resort to brigandage even when unduly provoked. This much has been demonstrated by the very commendable conduct set by one of the town’s very illustrious sons, Dr Ighodalo, who chose to seek redress by heading to the court over alleged rigging in the just concluded governorship election. That is the way to go

•Okoeguale, a commentator on national affairs, writes from Benin.