ANENIH: Esan People In Search Of Political Leader

By Honours Akhigbe

The people in Edo Central Senatorial District, comprising the five local government areas that made up Esanland are in dire need of a political leader.
The search is occasioned by the recent demise of the Iyasele of Esanland, Chief Tony Akhakon Anenih, who was the undisputed political leader, not only in Esanland but in the entire Nigeria.
Obviously, the vacuum created by the death of Chief Anenih, is posing serious challenges to the Esan people, particularly political leaders in the area.
Investigation revealed that concerned Esan people both at home and in the Diaspora are worried over the nonexistence of a political leader in Esanland.
The Reliance gathered that even though there are some political leaders in the area but a suitable person to fit into the shoes of Chief Tony Anenih is difficult to get.
Some of the political frontline leaders include Chief Tom Ikimi, Senator Odion Ugbesia, Chief Frank Arewele, Prof. Oserheime Osunbor, Chief Francis Inegbeniki and Chief Mike Onolememen.
“Ordinarily, the leadership Barton would have fallen on the hands of Chief Ikimi like a ripe pawpaw but this cannot be because he has never been there for the Esan man and woman. He cannot be said to have truly played a father figure to any Esan person.
“Odion Ugbesia, going by his political positions he has held coupled with the fact that he was a right hand man to our late political godfather, Chief Anineh, but he cannot function in that capacity because he is not a man of the people.
“Chief Erewele is a dependable politician anytime, any day but he does not have the resources to play the enormous duties needed for the position.
“Former Governor Osunbor, is a great personality. Very humble and intelligent but lacked the will power. Besides, he has acceptability problem to deal with before the Esan people will agree for him to lead them.
“For Chief Francis Inegbeniki; that young man has large heart with pure red Esan blood flowing through his veins. He is a proper Esan man any day, anytime. He has the resources and capacity to take over from the late Aninih. The only think against is petty jealousy from older leaders.
“Architect Onolememen is a capable hand and cool headed but he is always full of himself. He can hardly shoulder the cause of any Esan man or woman unless he is pushed to do so.
“From the above assessment of the above political leaders in Esanland, you can see the reason some of us politicians in the area are in dilemma as to choosing a suitable and generally acceptable political leader to lead us.
” The late Anenih even though had his own short comings but he was there for the Esan people, irrespective of their political affiliation. We shall miss him for a long time to come.
“The 2020 governorship election in the state is around the corner. Who is that political leader that will chest out for the Esan people?, a concerned politician in Ubiaja who would not want his name in print, posited.

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