Edo Central By-Election: Why Esan Deserves Priority — By Darlington Okpebholo Ray
This Saturday, the people of Esan land face more than a by election; they face a defining choice about unity, fairness, and the future of our people. In my recent interview on Arise News, I spoke frankly about my support for Uromi. Some dismissed it as mere sentiment. Let me be clear: that was never my intent. My position was, and remains, rooted in truth and fairness.”
“I am not a card carrying member of any political party at the moment. My concern is equity and the collective good of Esan land. From my engagements with stakeholders, I have come to learn that every candidate in this race, including the PDP’s Joe Okojie, has expressed a willingness to work with all stakeholders, including the governor, to ensure development across Esan land. That spirit of collaboration across party lines is precisely the mindset our people need in these times.”
One fact stands tall and unshaken: Esan North East Local Government Area, with Uromi as its administrative headquarters, is the only major contender in this senatorial contest yet to produce a senator. This is not partisan rhetoric; it is a factual imbalance that deserves correction if we truly believe in fair representation. Representation should rotate with equity, not remain the privilege of a few.
That said, my vision goes beyond the politics of location. I advocate for a unified development agenda across all parts of Esan land, an agenda jointly driven by the governor, our senator, and the two House of Representatives members, Hon. Odianosen Henry Okojie and Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun. Only by transcending local government boundaries and working as one can we unlock the full potential of our region, from agriculture to infrastructure, from human capital to industrial growth.
This by election is not about blind party loyalty. It is about strategic, inclusive leadership that places Esan first. We need leaders who can bridge divides, channel state resources into meaningful projects, and give every community in Esan land a voice. Whether it is Hon. Joe Ikpea of the APC or Hon. Sergius Ogun of the ADC, both from Esan South East, or any other candidate, the most important question is: who will work most effectively with our governor, an Esan son, to advance our collective progress? For me, this is non negotiable.
Real regional development is not a stroke of luck; it is the result of deliberate planning and unity of purpose. If we reduce this by election to narrow victories for one group over another, we risk forfeiting prosperity for all. Edo Central deserves the same level of development as the South and North, and every community in Esan land deserves the opportunity to serve and contribute. That is why unity is not just desirable, it is essential.
“As citizens, we hold the power to shape our destiny. Let us demand a leadership anchored on a shared development plan, one that guarantees fair representation, coordinated action, and a united voice for progress.”
It is time to think beyond party labels, beyond personal loyalties, and beyond short term gains. Let Esan land lead with unity, equity, and foresight.
Esan first, above all. Esan Oyeee!
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, MSc, Asoc CIPD, is a Journalist, fellow of the British College of Journalism, Human Resource Management Expert (CIPD), Doctoral Researcher, Sociopolitical Rights Activist and Publisher of Truth Live News. He writes from Greenwich, London, England.
