A Frontline member of Leaders of Thoughts for Good Governance, (LTGG), Sir. Clem Aziegbemi has strongly advocated for political inclusiveness of Emu Community indigenes in the All Progressives Congress Party, APC, led government in Edo State.
He said he is worried that some political elements presently surrounding Governor Monday Okpebholo are making the governor not to keep to the promises he made twice to one of the indigenes of the community, Hon. Cornelius Amhiegbereta.
He described Hon. Amhiegbereta as a beautiful young political galvaniser, a grassroots mobiliser, and a highly mobile and result-oriented personality in Emu, Esan South East Local Government Area.
Aziegbemi further said that it is only persons with dark minds who would not love and appreciate the energy this great son of Emu Kingdom brings to the table when called upon or given an assignment in whatever capacity. He said this illustrious son has always proven his doggedness to deliver with resounding results.
“I make bold to say, Hon. Cornelius Amhiegbereta is that individual or politician, friend and brother you can have and go to sleep if he says to you, I am with you.”
“Sadly, the bitterness of some of the APC members and very little-minded fellows in Ward 5 of the APC in Emu are afraid of Hon. Cornelius’ organic love from the youth demographic, where he commands absolute loyalty from the majority, and even across a large section of the elderly”.
He said as an opposition figure and highly involved in local politics, he is aware that this brilliant, dogged politician has been promised twice: first, to be given the local government chairmanship ticket, after the vampires around the Governor ensured that did not work, which the Governor subscribed to.
He alleged that the governor again promised to give the Secretary position to their son, Hon. Cornelius, a promise the Governor painfully failed to keep, adding that regrettably they were aware that the Governor confirmed and reassured Hon. Cornelius of his promise, before they got wind of the underground workings of the alleged vampires and predators that eventually stop the Governor.
Aziegbemi declared that the chairmanship and Secretary positions denied Hon. Cornelius are not about Hon. Cornelius alone, but against the great and good people of Ward 5, who have been shortchanged in the political structure of the APC ruling party.
“Ward 5 proudly sits as one of the largest wards in the local government, with the second-largest voting strength and highly politically mobile people. You cannot, with all sense of reasonableness, treat us like an orphan.
“Emu, the headquarters of Ward 5, is a major stakeholder within the political space of the LGA. You cannot take a position promised to Emu twice and give it to other communities in the LGA. In this case, Ewohimi has the Vice Chairman, MD of the State Fire Service, Special Adviser to the Governor and many others.
“Even though we have two wards that make up Ewohimi, the contest here is that Ewohimi, as a community, has gotten enough. Why take the Secretary position again to Ewohimi just because those who are afraid of the political clout of Hon. Cornelius do not want Emu to be heard and seen around the political structure of the Governor.”
He said It is sad that it is evidently clear that there are forces working hard to see that the popularity of the Governor is reduced among those who fought to ensure he is the Governor today.
“Let it be on record that the Esan Nation agitated for a chance to govern after 22 years. That agitation was for fairness and equity, which was supported by our brothers and sisters from other senatorial districts. So, those who are close to the Governor and have turned themselves into tin gods around him should not make the re-election of the Governor a huge task.
“The Governor and his close foot soldiers should know that the present Governor is only holding in trust the legitimate agitation of Esan Nation and must hold it very well, for another four years is by the corner. The Esan Nation, with other stakeholders, will ask for his stewardship, and it is only he who will answer for himself, and not the predators around him”.
He also said that the Esan Nation will not allow the interference of these outsourced individuals with the Governor to prevent the Esan Nation from having a second term of eight years, just like our brothers from the other senatorial districts have had.
“We want to put this on record again: this power-drunk little fellow who is a butterfly but thinks he is a bird should mobilise enough resources and other forces known to him to come and vote in Emu and get the victory.
“This is not about Hon. Cornelius O. Amhiegbereta, but the collective position of those of us from Emu. We are not bootlickers”. he posited.
Aziegbemi recalled that in 2024 governorship election he made up his mind to support the Governor and not the APC as a party, adding that it was because of the way the major Stakeholders of our state political affairs saw the then Governor as the face of the man projecting our candidate. He said he also realized that it will be difficult for the intelligent and well-exposed Asue Ighodalo to have his way even if he win the election at the polls.
“I resigned from my party then to join the Governor’s team, and promises were made in the presence of my friend, a chieftain of the party. But I later reconsidered my position due to family interests and concerns. I have to support my party and candidate”.
Aziegbemi reiterated that the governor must treat Emu community with utmost respect and regard.He said because he is a man who believes in building people across political lines, I will always speak up for my people’s interest. Emu is a political enclave of the Esan nation with notable names to her credit!
“For the sake of my friends, leaders, and my adopted elder brother, the Commissioner, I will still hold my gunpowder tight while hoping the Governor will be gracious to Emu and recognise the significant place of the kingdom before the governor celebrates his official two years in office.”