This Saturday, Esanland stands at a crossroad. One path leads to fairness, progress, and representation that works for everyone. The other leads to self-inflicted sociopolitical harm; power hoarded in one corner, one family, and one set of interests.The choice before us is simple — vote Dr. Ikpea, APC, for Senate — but the reasons run deep.
1. Dr Ikpea is the Most Qualified Candidate in the Race: Some people seek office to cover their failures. Others seek office to multiply their impact. Dr. Ikpea is firmly in the second category. Former Local Government Chairman. Former Honourable Commissioner. Distinguished academic. Zero scandals. A reputation built over decades.Compare this to his major opponent — once Commissioner for Agriculture but leaving behind tales of abuse of office and missed opportunities. As a cassava farmer myself, I never saw his footprint in the agricultural sector. Dr. Ikpea’s record speaks; his opponent’s record whispers excuses.
2. Voting Dr Ikpea will Balance the Political Equation in Edo Central: Esan North East already has a seat in the House of Representatives through Hon. Odianosen (Odi) Okojie of Uromi. The Senate seat was tacitly zoned to Agbazilo — the combined area of Esan North East and Esan South East, being that the other part of Edo Central, Okpebho (Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben) has held the Senate seat the last three consecutive terms, and now has the seat of the Governor. The House of Representatives seat is already in Esan NE; logic, fairness, and justice say the Senate should go to Esan SE.This is not just zoning for zoning’s sake — it’s about ensuring every part of Esanland has a voice in Abuja.
3. Voting Dr Ikpea will encourage Inclusion for the Marginalised in Edo Central: Ikpea hails from Ewatto — a smaller town in Esanland, not even a local government headquarters. His victory would send a clear message: in Esanland, you don’t have to come from a big city to dream big and win.Just as Edo State opened its doors for Edo Central to produce the Governor, Esan must now extend the same spirit of inclusion internally. That is how we build equity that lasts beyond one election cycle. That is how to cement Esan Unity.
4. Voting Dr Ikpea will Stop the Concentration of Power in one Family: Let’s be clear: the PDP opponent’s family already controls a National Assembly seat through Hon. Odianosen (Odi) Okojie. The idea that the only two federal seats in Esanland should be occupied by members of the same family, from the same village, same town, and same LGA is political greed dressed as ambition.Democracy thrives on rotation and shared opportunity — not dynasties. If we hand both seats to one household, we turn our democracy into a family business.
5. Esan Needs to Stand United Behind the Governor Now: Governor Monday Okpebholo is one of our own. Esan’s own. And he has made it clear — Dr. Ikpea is his choice for Senate. In moments like this, unity is not a luxury; it is survival.I came out of political early retirement to rejoin the APC for this very reason — to stand with the Governor and to call on all Esan people to bury the hatchet, rally behind our champion, and ensure we are not left leaderless again.
6. Dr Joe Ikpea offers Strategic Access to Development for Esanland: Politics is not yenyudure — a mere flexing of muscles. It is the art of strategic positioning. With Ikpea in the Senate, Esan will have a direct bridge to the APC-led Federal Government and the Governor’s office.That means real roads, functional health centres, upgraded schools, and youth empowerment initiatives. Electing anyone from another party is not a protest vote — it’s a self-inflicted exile from power and resources.
7. Dr Ikpea has A Legacy of Service and Generosity: Ikpea’s philanthropy is not campaign theatre — it’s who he has always been. Scholarships. Medical outreaches. Community projects. He has done all these without holding a Senate seat.And then there is his brother, Lee Ikpea — unarguably the greatest philanthropist in Esanland’s modern history. Their family name commands respect even beyond our borders. Honouring them with our mandate is not just political; it is personal.This Saturday, Esan has the power to choose fairness over greed, inclusion over exclusion, progress over stagnation.The choice is not between APC and PDP — it is between giving Esanland a united, strategic voice in Abuja… or letting it be swallowed by a political dynasty that thinks the people’s mandate is an inheritance.Vote Dr. Ikpea for Senate. Because Esan deserves better.
Saintmoses Eromosele (SME) writes from his cassava farms in Eidenu and Ewu
talktosme@gmail.com
