Now That Edo Central Has a Senator: The Task Ahead
By – Darlington Okpebholo Ray
Now that Edo Central has produced a senator in Joseph Ikpea, it is important to extend congratulations on his emergence while immediately recognising the enormous responsibility that rests on his shoulders and on all other Esan sons in positions of authority. With his election in the August 16 Edo Central Senatorial by election, Esan land is presented with a unique opportunity. For the first time in many years, all representatives from Edo Central are aligned politically with the governor of Edo State. This alignment should not be taken for granted. It must be converted into meaningful development for our people.
Political history reminds us that the only other time Esan land enjoyed a similar alignment was between May 2007 and November 2008, when Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Odion Ugbesia, and Honourable members Patrick Ikhariale and Friday Itulah held office under the same political platform. That opportunity was short lived.
Today, however, with the governor and legislators from Edo Central all in the same political family, our people must insist that such a rare alignment is not wasted.
The most urgent challenge before them is insecurity. Esan land has become a theatre of kidnappings and violent crimes, especially in our farmlands.
Without peace and safety, no society can grow. As Nelson Mandela wisely said, “Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.” Restoring security must therefore be a sacred and non negotiable duty.
Once peace is restored, development must follow. Our roads require urgent attention to open up economic activity, particularly agriculture. Farmers must be able to take their produce from rural communities to urban centres without fear or hardship. Moribund industries, such as the cassava flour and juice factories, should be revived to create jobs for young people, while new investment opportunities must be pursued to reduce idleness and its attendant social ills.
We must also look towards the Illushi River corridor, a natural asset that can transform Esan land into a thriving hub of marine commerce. Harnessing such opportunities requires vision, unity, and purposeful leadership. As Kofi Annan once observed, “Without development, there can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no development.”
With every major office now occupied by sons of Edo Central under the same political umbrella, there is no excuse for failure. Even within two years, tangible results can be achieved if there is the will to act. Our people will not accept excuses at the end of this tenure. Success will be judged not by promises or rhetoric but by roads built, industries revived, jobs created, and security restored.
The task before Senator Joseph Ikpea and his colleagues is clear: work with the governor and ensure that Esan land experiences real and visible progress. This is a collective responsibility and a historic opportunity that must not be squandered.
I pray for wisdom and unity for all our representatives. May they rise above personal interests and deliver the development that Esan people deserve, Amen.
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, MSc, Assoc CIPD, BAJ, a Journalist, Publisher, Political Analyst, Human and Civil Rights Activist writes from London, England!
