Maj. Gen. Cecil Onosolease Esekhaigbe (rtd) has broken his silence in a recent press release, declaring that he has successfully achieved his primary political objective. Speaking on his involvement in the Esan Agenda and its evolution into an Edo Agenda, the retired General reflects on his journey, key decisions, and the leadership that led to the success of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s candidacy.
See the unedited press release below as shared with reporters.
Press Statement…
In 2014, my friend and our political leader,Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole invited me into the political space with a clear mission to bring my experience to lead my people (Esan People) to political glory. I sooner than later found out that i was in a strange environment characterised by many toxic menu.
I “stepped” aside from the toxic game and informed the Comrade Governor that I couldn’t function in a game so laced with man made obstacles. He invited me to the Goverment house and asked what happened. I was taken aback when he started laughing as against my expectation.
He said “General,these issues you raised especially the perceived insults from minions are delibrate to annoy you so that you leave the political space for them” Take the insults, navigate the toxic environment for the sake of your people desirous of a leader with strong character.
This sacred mission to lead my people to political glory became a covenant which I vowed to protect it’s sanctity. The first phase of the mission was the herculian task to win the senatorial seat that has eluded our great party the APC in the district .
A young man called Monday Okpebholo came to me to encourage me to contest the senatorial election and he was going to sponsor me. I declined and told him that as the Leader, I would for the moment concentrate on being the Commander to lead the troops to the battle. He later came to ask for my support to contest himself.
I asked him to give me one strong reason to convince me what his strategic endstate was. In his words,”Sir i am not looking for money,I am blessed but my aim is to make sure no Esan boy or girl goes through what I went through growing up”.
This pierced my heart. I immetiately took him to our Leader Comrade for introduction. Our then party chairman Col David Imuse endorsed him without any conditions and all the Leaders keyed in to the project. Behold APC won the elusive senatorial seat for the first time.THIS WAS GOD’S GRACE ON THE CANDIDATE AND THE LEADERSHIP.
Shorly after winning the senatorial election,then came the Edo State Gubernatorial election with array of political juggernauts on the battlefield. The Mantra of Esan Agenda rented the air with a noble quest for fairness, equity and a sense of belonging. I got reminded of that sacred mission to lead my people to political glory.
A lot of people believed that I was the right person to take the gaunlet. Political and non political Leaders in my senatorial and the other districts beckoned on me to contest. In August 2023 in my village Agua Irrua during our senatorial meeting, I declared that I would sacrifice my political ambition for the Governorship for the promotion of Esan Agenda.
I saw the disappointment in the eyes of my leaders and supporters who had been beating the drum of support for my ambition. I reckoned that I would not be able to fight for Esan Agenda if I was in the race. This decission paid off as my irrevocable mission to fight for Esan Agenda became sancrosanct.
We started the journey with screening of potential aspirants from my senatorial districts which gave impetus to insults from those who did not believe in the process. I was being abused and even accused of selling the Esan Agenda for political appointment. I kept my eyes on the ball because my faith taught me that GRACE is enough to triumph.
The political battle raged on as we headed to the State level with another screening that almost caused an “armaggedon” but Esan Agenda was my desideratum. How Esan got the ticket is a story to be told by the beneficiary,Sen Monday Okpebholo. Those who supported me for the realisation of Esan Agenda deserve a mention but in another chapter.Most of them are not even Esan. You will be shocked by the scarcity of support from Esan leaders and a few leaders from the other districts who felt that they were better suited for the coveted seat.I will not forget how I took the last 3 recommended Aspirants (Ebea Okpebholo and Imuse) to a man of goodwill who admonished we get it right and have a consensus.This was in its estimation that Esan Agenda would be threatened if we don’t get our acts together
This man of goodwill even supported me financially to pursue the Agenda to its logical conclusion.I will tell this story of the scarcity in another write up. We got the ticket and we thank God for the support of the North and South senatorial districts in the metamorohosis of Esan Agenda to an Edo Agenda.
I am prompted to write because of the avalanche of calls that I have received from persons regarding the recently set up Transition Committee. I have been politely and rudely called names for one reason or the other. I do not have any qualms with the great persons on the list and the appropriateness of the composition. Let me make it abundantly clear that i have achieved my political objective of Esan Agenda and not going to stress my luck in meddling into the governance of it.
We have elected a Governor and he should be allowed to govern with a clear thought process. I did not support and midwife the process of Esan Agenda for personal gains and the lust to be a godfather to the Governor. While we not unnecessarily interfere in his thought process and how he intends to run his government, we shall however not play the ostrich as we will hold him accountable for his promise to govern well for the benefit of Edo people.
I aIso respectfully charge those who supported him financially and otherwise should not make it a ‘quid pro quo’ Allow him to be, but guide him with fear of God.I believe my Esan ancestors,the good people of Esanland and the beneficiary of Esan Agenda know the trajectory of Esan Agenda to Edo Agenda. I however declined the calls for a meeting to question the mindset of the incoming Governor proudly an Esan extraction. He is going to be the Governor of all Edo people
I am however surprised that those who did not know how a goat was killed are struggling for the liver. They say this is “politics”Please those not satisfied with any decission(s) by the incoming Governor can please have a private discussion with him.My leardership is not godfatherism. If Sen Okpebholo believes i ,or anyone else has something to offer him, he would seek our advice.I have achieved my primary political objective.To God be the glory. I wish Sen Monday Okpebholo well in his determination to ensure a “RISING EDO”.
Cecil Onosolease Esekhaigbe
Maj Gen rtd PhD
