SOLUDO vs OBI and tthe Unchecked Horrors of a Village Tyrant. November 16, 2022

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such, there is no law." - Galatians 5: 22-23

As a political aspirant, pray that what Professor Soludo did to Mr. Peter Obi doesn't happen to you. There is a difference between objective political analysis and an opinion that's motivated by hatred, with malicious intent.

When Prof Soludo says Mr. Peter Obi is not going to win and he knows it, it resonates with me, and that is the reason for this essay. The statement is not an expression of opinion, informed by facts or deep research. It's simply a curse, an ill will per se.

Nothing could be more diabolical cunning and cowardly than subliminally, and without justification or element of truth, sowing seeds of doubt in the minds of the people about the electability of a candidate simply on grounds of envy and deep-seated animosity.

As one who studied up to a Ph.D. level, obtained the status of a Professor and was appointed Governor of the country's apex bank, Governor Soludo is no longer an ordinary person. He's in the status of what lawyers called the reasonable man.

Therefore, any conduct or utterance by him that falls short of the "reasonable man" standard, is subject to strict scrutiny tests. It's either he doesn't worth or earns the status in the first case or he deliberately and carelessly disregarded the standard expected of a reasonable man in his shoes.

The environment does matter, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Money or academic qualifications can buy you positions and social status, but they cannot buy you acceptance, integrity, or credibility. It may take you to the pinnacle of your political career, but it cannot erode the "Isaleko traits in you.

These people professed self-righteousness, while deliberately unmindful of the harm and pains they inflict on undeserving folks by their actions and utterances. I know what I'm talking about, because I'm a victim.

I suffered the same horror at the hands of a foe who masqueraded as a concerned commentator and an adviser. He went about questioning the integrity and feuding publicly in social media with those who volunteered to support my campaign. What I didn't know was that he has been making phone calls, campaigning stealthily against me. And I'm yet to recover from the financial devastations that accompanied his campaign of calumny.

He would begin by entreating them to advise me to withdraw from the Senatorial race and not to waste my money or their money because (1), I am not going to win, and (2), even if I win, our community would be better served, having a Governor in 2024, than helping to elect me a Senator in 2023.

And to appear as one who is genuinely concerned about my fate, he would subliminally inject a sense of objectivity and fairness into his false narrative, by embarking on goodwill lecturing mode. He would remind them of how brilliant Alex is, adding that no one can dispute the fact that he is the most qualified candidate in the Senatorial race.

Then, he would conclude by insisting, albeit surreptitiously, that qualifications aside, Alex will not win, this is not his time, and they should, therefore, advise him to step down and should not jeopardize the community's chances of producing a Governor with his Senatorial ambition.

Now, let's digress a little. If money or the lack of it is Alex's major constraint in the Senatorial race, and not his credibility, integrity, preparedness, electability questions, or academic qualifications as the caller has argued ceaselessly, then, why amplify or exacerbate the money problems by instructing them not to donate to his campaign funds?

If indeed he was motivated by a clear conscience, why not rally the people to donate handsomely and pull their resources together to make Alex competitive in the Senatorial race? Again, If money wahala is the major obstacle, why complicate it?

Furthermore, according to a popular saying, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. And certainly, I'm told, is better than a possibility. Given that as true, how is he so sure that, if I step down, come 2024, one of his future candidates from our community will win the gubernatorial primary and be elected the Governor of Edo State?

And what was his grudge against me? Simple, I didn't consult him before entering the senatorial race, he told me. So he set out to ruin my chances, without actually telling the people he contacted on the phone his major reason for opposing my candidacy. And he's celebrating now, having succeeded in sewing seeds of distress, hurting the anointed. As always, I leave the rest to God, while soldering on with the little funds I can raise.

I had to revisit this episode even though it happened in August and September this year because of its naked similarity with Professor Soludo's sermons of hate. Mr. Peter Obi might not be hurt. He is a billionaire who has an avalanche of powerful donors at home and abroad. I am not. And that explains the enormity of my vulnerability.

Though I confronted the misinformation when I got wind of it, the damage was already done. His phone calls were extensive and he has indeed succeeded in creating doubt in the minds of my potential donors as he intended. And I can testify that I'm yet to recover from his clandestine maneuvering and the consequential financial pitfalls.

I may be down financially, but I'm certainly not out. I'm stronger now, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. And as I always say, I have no godfather, God is my God-Father and He will make the necessary resources available for me at the appointed time to secure my victory at the poll.

I prayed to God to place my name on the Ballot and he did. And I'm most grateful to my Heavenly Father and to those who made it possible. By his Grace, come May 2023, I will be duly sworn in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing my beloved people of Esanland. Amen.

We deserve better. Esan deserves a better representation. We are abandoned by Abuja and we are morbidly marginalized at the state level. We deserve a credible voice and a formidable presence at the seat of power at Abuja, to make a case, our case, against the years of missing federal presence in Esanland. From all indications, I can make that case better than anyone else in the Senatorial race right now. That's why I'm involved. And that's why stepping down is NOT an option and will NEVER be. Insha Allah victory is ours. Amen.

"Dear God, I thank you that I have the Holy Spirit to guide me in expressing who you are in my life. Father, in everything I do, may the fruits of the Spirit be evident. May I be different from the harsh and wicked ways of the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."