LEAVE OUR SENATOR ALONE!
By: DR (MRS) ODEGUA ISABERU
Senator Monday Okpebholo, also known as Akpakomiza, is the Senator representing Edo Central District in the Nigerian Senate. He’s a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has parental ties to the two geopolitical divides of Edo Central District; Okpebho and Agbazilo.
There are some machiavellian power dealers in Edo State who sometimes parade dubious affinity with Edo Central yet perpetuating the political emasculation of the naturally endowed but artificially restrained District. The same trojan forces, for over a dozen years, have been ensuring directly and indirectly the steady severance of Edo Central from the tripodal levers of power in the state. The same persons, over the years have pocketed some undiscerning, and shameless Edo Central politicians into their mischievous pockets, raising up spineless yesmen to do their treacherous bidding only to turn around to accuse Edo Central District people of ‘sellouts’ (but they never disclosed the ‘payers’ in the alleged sellouts or how much was paid for the sordid trade). These persons, in the last few days have been up and doing, mobilizing their social media hangers on to do their bidding in attacking the personality of Akpakomiza whom they clearly dread for his characteristics independence and passion for the restoration of the dignity of his people.
There are three unique things about Senator Okpebholo that perturbs those impulsive domineering power dealers within Edo State;
First, Senator Okpebholo is the first Senator of Edo Central District who won from outside the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This is a rare feat that could not happen even during the eight years of Adams Oshiomole as Governor. This is particularly disturbing to the hawks because Akpakomiza was not supported by them to win. He won on his own, using his own money and strategy.
Second, Senator Okpebholo is independent minded and not subservient to any leader outside Edo Central. The colonial masters don’t like this. They need colonies. They need someone who would declare Edo Central a colony of the North or the South. Unfortunately for them, Akpakomiza has very extensive and strategic contacts and connections outside Edo State and is preparing to use the connections to improve the quality of life for the Edo Central District People.
Thirdly, Senator Okpebholo is roundly popular among his own people. He is liked by all and sundry across Edo Central, and beyond. He doesn’t need anyone from outside Edo Central to validate him or endear him to his own people. His people across parties love him and believe in him and this does not make certain individuals outside the District comfortable.
Assuming but not conceding that Senator Okpebholo actually voted against Akpabio for the Senate Presidency, and so freaky what!? Does the Senator not have a right to his choices? Absolutely he does. What is fact is that Akpakomiza voted for an APC (not a PDP) Candidate for Senate President, everything else is conjecture and fiction of the imagination of detractors mostly outside Edo Central District who are looking for any straw opportunity to justify their avarice for power over the Edo 2024 Gubernatorial nomination.
The talk about the “party decision” is neither here nor there, as if the “APC party decision” to nominate Senator Ahmed Lawan in the APC primaries was not disregarded for good reasons. Would you describe those who voted for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, against “Party Decision”, as having played anti-Party? If not, why then is the social media orgasm over what is even a fictitious voting list that in circulation?
Even if Senator Okpebholo voted for APC other candidate for the Senate President, Yari, he acted within his right and conscience, and within the ambit of the law – and even maybe quite a strategic move – that could one day pay off when the table turns.
So far, Senator Okpebholo has been doing very well for we the Edo Central People. He is very popular. Extremely loved by his people whom he’s organizing once again, restoring their dignity and self worth, and repositioning them to take back their rightful leadership position and role in the only state that they have – Edo State.
You that is outside Edo Central District and still masturbating over a real or perceived action of an Edo Central District Senator, please go mind and your business. And you that is in Edo Central District yet trying to be used by external forces to degrade Edo Central District leaders, and throw spanner in the wheel of Edo 2024 for Edo Central District, _Mien Emwaen!_
The cheap blackmail list that is being cooked and dished is definitely from the camp of those who see Akpakomiza’s rising profile from Edo Central as real and urgent threat to their ill-conceived 2024 ambition of avarice, dishonor and insensitivity. Akpakomiza is an embodiment of wisdom, strategy, and action. He has been elected to represent Edo Central District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he should be allowed to do the job.
We did not elect a Senator that would be a stooge to anyone outside Edo Central District. Never! So, my advise to those trying to drag the Edo Central District Senator on the mud is “Leave our Senator Alone!”
DR (MRS) ODEGUA ISABERU writes from AUCHI
