General Cecil Esekaigbe PhD. An officer and a gentleman.

General Cecil Esekaigbe PhD.
An officer and a gentleman.

By ESV Tony Okonigene MNIVS. RSV , FIMC

It is not in my character to praise sing anymore. I have deliberately made it a rule not to descend to the arena of praise singers. My write -ups, as much as possible, have always focused on issues and not personalities.

However, this once, I have decided to talk about a personality who by all ramifications stands out as an example of a complete evolution of the founding fathers of our Edo State and the Esan people.

I came to the conclusion that General Cecil Esekhaigbe Ph.D, is the successor to the throne of our Esan heroes past in December 2022. This began manifesting in his days as the Registrar of the Nigerian Defense Academy. The young Esan youths he influenced their admirations into the Academy will be generals in the next few years. He is ever looking out for how Esan people can benefit from whatever position of power he finds himself.

General Cecil would have become the Senator Representing Edo Central in 2023 if he had considered himself first. In December 2022, my friend, Monday Okpebholo ( Now HE Senator Monday Okpebholo) and I went to see the peoples general as he is fondly called by his numerous fans in his Abuja residence. Our mission was to convince him to pick up the APC ticket as the Senatorial candidate of the party for the 2023 general elections. My friend offered to give all financial support he needed..

Surprisingly, General Cecil declined. He told us that he needed to be in the leadership position of the party for the sake of the 2024 Esan Agenda. He explained that if he became an aspirant he would not be in certain top level party meetings in the state and that will be dangerous for us. Moreover, he explained further that he would like to be a guiding angel to whosoever becomes the Esan Governor so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. He therefore endorsed my friend to run for the senatorial ticket. The rest is history.

For me, this was the ultimate sacrifice any politician can make for his people. It is rear to see such character in politics who puts the interest of his people above his personal interest. No wonder he is the Okalete of Esanland. He is truly an officer and a gentleman.

Like a true son of Esan, the Governor, HE Senator Monday Okpebholo, has maintained that guiding Angel relationship with the peoples general. It is therefore foolery for anyone who does not know the relationship between the two to try sow any seed of discord in the name of dirty divisive politics. I pity one Omoregie from Igueben who recently posted a criminal defamatory voice note on social media against the person of General Cecil Esekhaigbe Ph.D, the Okalete of Esanland. He is automatically a persona non grata ( state enemy). Only an aspirant or politician who wants to terminate his ambition will relate with him. Any aspirant who brings him along to Irrua will not be welcomed. The matter is a police affair now and I was informed that they are finding it difficult to get him write his statement. Let justice take its full course.

As our good God ushers us into the new year, let us all resolve to do away with dirty and divisive politics. Let us support one another especially those who by divine mandate are leading us. While not calling for sycophantic support, I urge us all to give our maximum support to our leaders and follow due civility in correcting them genuinely. We are all human.

HAPPY NEW YEAR