Deconstructing An Illusory Truth Effect – Major General  Cecil Onosolease Esekhaigbe rtd PhD

Deconstructing An Illusory Truth Effect – Major General  Cecil Onosolease Esekhaigbe rtd PhD

The just concluded elections are over and as usual,there are winners and losers. While the winners savour their victories,the losers rue their losses. Since elections are Special Purpose Vehicles for winners to be elected and  appointed into offices,there is also the attendant quest by the winning side and some cases the losing sides   for offices in the name of Unity and recognition for alliances. 

In Edo State,the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the Central Senatorial District had not been able to win National elections since 1999 because of the overarching influence of our political ICON late Chief Tony Anenih and his People Democratic Party (PDP).

The demise of the Political collosus  opened a new chapter in the political architecture of Esanland with a new leadership in the APC at the Senatorial level. The various levels of leadership of the party coalesce under the unique declaration of changing the fortunes of the party to a winning machine. 

The simple  strategy  was choosing the candidates with appetite to win without rancour at the primaries with a well focused campaigns. The readiness to win elections was captured at the “UROMI DECLARATION” where the party flagged off the Senatorial Campaigns. To activate the declaration was the presence of the leader of leaders, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other leaders led by Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu. 

There was a development with the Legacy PDP opting to work with the APC across the 3 Senator Districts with an understanding of special cooperation that may lead to a concrete relationship. I do not know the effect of the cooperation in other senatorial districts but in Edo Central it is about MIXED FEELINGS .

While we looked forward to that cooperation with a good  gesture and support by the APC,unfortunately, the PDP Legacy group did not transmit the gesture to a meaningful output. This is not to undermine the spirited efforts of a few individuals in the group.  The APC felt betrayed that the recipients of the good gesture ultimately did not support her in the elections as evident in the results.

There is an  ILLUSORY TRUTH EFFECT that is reigning the air that the APC couldn’t have won the national elections without the support of the Legacy group of the PDP.  There is need to deconstruct this.

The Legacy PDP could not help to stem the tsunami and inferno effect of Labour Party in Esan West  and Igueben LGAs to be specific in the National Elections. It was the tenacity of APC members that won the National elections.

“The cooperation” even collapsed in the State House Assembly elections  under the financial superior fire power and intimidation of the ruling party. The APC with exceptional show of strength was able to withstand the volume of fire in clinching 2 seats in the House of Assembly.

Thanks to the quality of the candidates and the leaders who supported their nominations. The betrayal I earlier mentioned was that irrespective of the great gesture extended to the Legacy Group at their “Headquarters” in Ubiaja the APC was left in the wilderness.  

 Those who want to contest elections or seek appointment in APC led federal Government in Edo Central, should come with clean hands (EQUITY). Riding in a bus of illusory truth syndrome of an undefined cooperation is Dead on Arrival.

We in the APC are ever willing to accommodate our brothers and sisters from other parties albeit with clear mind.Esan is the trajectory to greater heights in Edo politics and we can only get better with tenacity of purpose and a clear line of sight. Long live the APC.

Cecil Onosolease Esekhaigbe 

Major General rtd PhD