By Lucky Okoedion
The feelers we are getting from the street is that the larger fraction of Esan voters are fed up with a handful of Esan career politicians. Specifically the ones whose pursuit for their personal interest is with utter disregard for the collective interest of the people. The majority of Esan people blame them for squandering the political fortunes and opportunities of the tribe since the creation of Edo State. So much that out of the 29 years of the existence of Edo State, Esan has only produced an Edo Governor for 18 months. The grievances of the people have reached such feverish levels that many fear for the safety of these politicians in Esan land when electioneering campaigns begin. 
We have heard of cases internationally and locally where failed politicians are stoned when they step into their home towns and villages. Are we heading towards such a campaign season in Esan land? We hope that is not the case. Everyone has the constitutional right to choose who to support in a democracy without being scared for their safety. Yet, the people have the right to demand accountability from men who have acquired political relevance by enjoying their patronage to win elections in their units, and wards for years. So some argue.
“How will they come back to us to campaign against Esan Agenda after using the same mantra to campaign to us a few months ago during their APC Senatorial campaigns? What do they take us for?”, a prominent Esan Youth Leader queried vehemently.
While some observers feel the current situation in Esan land calls for security concerns, others feel that there is no need to worry. “Once the politicians start sharing money, the noise makers will keep quiet”, they assert.
“Will money sharing be able to erase from the mind and conscience of the angry Esan youths the fact that they are unable to get gainful employment in Esanland due to the poor comparative development in the area compared to Edo South and Edo North?” Others ask.
The unspoken wish of the majority of the Esan Agenda promoters is that the best way to attract development to Esanland is to have an Esan Governor. “The level of development a single governor can attract to the land cannot be achieved by 20 senators combined”, so they claim. Yet there is another school of thought who believe that it ought not to be the case that a tribe has to clamour to produce the Governor before they can experience development that is naturally their right as equal stakeholders in Edo State. Hence this other school of thought, most of whom are not Esan indigines says “To Hell With Esan Agenda!”.
Regardless, no one is sure if the Esan politicians who are opposed to the Esan Agenda for the sake of their personal interest can boldly join their non-Esan friends to say “To Hell With The Esan Agenda” and not experience the wrath of the Esan people who feel their agitation to end what they claim to be a form of political marginalisation and social injustice is legitimate. Parallels are drawn between the federal character principle that is in the constitution of Nigeria and the need for rotational presidency, and in this case, rotational governorship, which are both popular unwritten rules in our political culture.
