A pan Esan socio-cultural umbrella organisation, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) has congratulated Edo State Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory in the concluded governorship election, saying that his emergence vindicates its struggles and unrelenting campaigns for a governor of Esan extraction.
In a letter by its President, Rt. Hon. Mathew Egbadon; and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tony Iyare, and released in Benin City, the state capital, the organisation urged the Governor-Elect to mobilise and rally all citizens of the state, irrespective of their political leaning, for the daunting task of governing and steering the state for development. It said: “Edo Okpa man khin, we are one people”!
Restating why it was at the vanguard of the campaign for a governor of Esan extraction, leading to meaningful engagements with the state’s political elites across party lines, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the three senatorial zones of the state in the period leading to the election, EOI said that the campaign was anchored on “fairness, equity and justice”.
The letter reads in parts: “The Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), a pan Esan socio-cultural umbrella organization, wishes to warmly congratulate you on your victory at the just concluded Edo State Governorship election. No doubt, it was a hard-fought and hard-won battle.
“Our organisation was in the forefront of leading the concerted campaign for a Governor of Esan extraction for our dear state; a campaign that was predicated on fairness, equity and justice, which led to meaningful engagements with Edo political elites across party lines, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the three senatorial zones of the state in the period leading to the election.
“We are particularly delighted that these unrelenting efforts and engagements, and the support of God Almighty, paved the way for your eventual emergence as candidate of one of the major parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and your subsequent victory at the election.
“Needless to remind you that now that you have been elected, you will be the governor of all Edolites, both those who voted for you and those who did not during the election.
“No doubt, the challenges facing the development of our dear Edo State, may be daunting, but are not insurmountable, with your focused and determined resolve to tackle them, with the collective support of all Edolites. We hope and pray that you will prove wrong, those cynics who may not believe you can change the narrative of things in Edo State, for the better.
“Edo people are industrious, adventurous, creative, enterprising, and smart, which accounts for their tremendous achievements in different sectors of life-academia, industries, politics, business and the professions. History beckons on you to mobilize and unite all Edo people behind you and bring about the much-desired positive changes and cohesion in Edo State, the heartbeat of the nation. Kindly remember that ‘Edo Okpa man khin, we are one people”!
“Our organisation wishes you well and pray fervently that the Almighty God will grant you the wisdom, grace, protection and guidance in the arduous task of governing and administering Edo State for the overall well-being of our people”.
