Crusaderhotnews
*_...where do you stand_*?
*_By Eseosa Ewere_*
Edo State has been a demonstrable epicentre for political, social, cultural and economic developments; the State, been a multi ethnic, multi cultural and multi social society cross navigating the South, North and Central plays very critical and instrumental role in the overall sociopolitical development of Nigeria
Benin City, been the administrative and political capital, remains very significant in deciding the political and economic trajectory of Edo State; to this end, any action or inaction, be it political, cultural, economic or social that tends to ridicule, victimize the Benin nation is seen not only by the Benins as unjust, unfair and condemnable, but by the entire Edo people considering the place of the Benins in the overall development of Edo State
When Gov. Godwin Obaseki, one of Nigeria's best Governors going by vox populi, was brutally, unjustly and unconstitutionally disqualified by the compromised Oshiomhole-led NWC of the APC on June 12, Benins all over the world felt humiliated, victimized that the nation (Benin) now on a trajectory of holistic development under Obaseki's watch would be taken aback to the days of the dogs when politicians or political office holders saw politics as an avenue for self aggrandizement rather than a system designed to serve the people
An unpopular political era when the entire revenue allocated for grassroot development at the local government level became personal effects of a few individuals
A time when poor, struggling market women, petty traders and small business owners were at the mercy of red-eyed tax collectors popularly called "agberu"
Edo was famous for notorious tendencies and the government of the day could hardly protect her poor citizens; an era when viable local governments like Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha could hardly generate N10million or more as monthly revenue
Today, we are faced with the challenge of sustaining the sanity, character and self esteem that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration has institutionalized in our polity; today, we are in a battle of our life drawn between darkness and light; today, we are challenged to protect a viable political, cultural, social and economic base designed to address the plight of majority Edo people and today, history will remember us for the role we played to save the soul of Edo State and the Benin nation currently bleeding out of the unjust political decision taken against one of our own
That the Edo State Governor has resigned from the APC just now must not be seen from a parochial point of view as action to remain in power for the next four years; in fact, the battle, led and shouldered by Godwin Obaseki cannot, should not and must not be reduced to a mere political superiority, it must be taken as not for person, party or power, but for the redemption of the soul of Edo State now bleeding profusely from the political rascality of Oshiomhole and his failed army
Edo bleeds and on the verge of collapse, the role we play now whether as voters, non-voters, politicians, apoliticians, party men, women and non will suffice to defend her fortunes from the iron grip of political brigands with crass disregard for the social, political and cultural historicity that binds us together as a people
And as the battle to redeem the soul of Edo gathers momentum, as the struggle for our collective destinies takes centre stage and as the war on crass, destructive, oppressive, suppressive and reprehensive godfatherism intensifies, would you be found taking side to redeem the people from the apron strings of oppressive politics with the tendency of writing good history or you will be caught massaging the egoistic tendencies of oppressive political elements and be damned by bad history?
Great Edo people, sons and daughters of Igodomigodo, while we move, while we struggle and as we battle, where do you rather stand, on the good side of history or the bad?
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