“Tell Esiso Say We Dey See Him Good Work”

By Stephanie Ikanone Odiete

It was weekend and I had boarded a bus coming to Sapele from Asaba. I was already seated, and adjusting myself in my seat, when a middle aged man approached me.

He must have been in his late 60s, or at most, early 65. He sat beside me and greeted me warmly, “you dey go Sapele?” He asked in the local parlance, and I nodded my head, he told me he would be stopping at Jesse, I smiled and he asked “you know Esiso?” I looked at him baffled and before I could say a word, he whispered into my ears “tell Esiso say we dey see him good work”

My smiles brightened up and eyes became misty, I knew who he was talking about. Olorogun Barr Kingsley Esiso, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State chapter Chairman who would be adding a year on February 4.

“Tell Esiso say we dey see him good work” what a message of encouragement from a man! What reassurance!

Just like the biblical word that a king is not respected in his home, Oruese issue is different. He is well respected and people are proud of him just like his followers would say, we are proudly Esisoites

That was what happened at the park. The uncle who whispered into my ears is like thousand and thousands of Deltans, “who have believed in Esiso after seeing what his Chairmanship position has brought.” People who love him and appreciate his developmental stride, people who wish him to go the next level in 2023. Safarians have come to appreciate him, that he is here at such a time as this, and who believes that he and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is leading the people to a new Delta, a land filled with milk and honey. There are number of thousands of people, who daily wish Esiso well, and pray that he and the Governor will lead the land to better days before 2023.

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Some months before the 2019 governorship election, I ran into Chief Benson Okorodudu at the Asaba International Airport, as he was going to see Esiso, we greeted warmly, and I asked him what he thought about the up coming elections. What was I worried about? The buzz everywhere of an opposition as to how it will go…. I had a different view of the reality, but I needed someone to reassure me, and I knew Okorodudu was in a position to do so, he is not a unionist cum politician for nothing.

The Senior Special Assistant on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, I told him about my worries and wanted that assurance from him. He merely smiled at me and gave me hundred reasons why Okowa would win again, I was convinced, I was optimistic.

And What did he say? With development stride spread across the state and visible projects in every local government and empowerment to the people, it stated that Okowa would win again by wide margin. And with the Esiso factor, I should please go to sleep, hmmmm… It did turn out prophetic.

The Middle aged man at the park is one among the thousands who voted for Governor Okowa and kept Esiso. They know that Delta is not where we wanted her to be, not yet, but it is not business as usual. There is one man who is labouring hard to turn the state on the right part , who strategizes with the governor, he is Olorogun Barr. Kingsley Esiso.

Friends, Deltans, I have come to celebrate Olorogun Barr Kingsley Esiso, as he adds a year to his years. You think I am praising him too much? Well, say anything you want, that is your perception, but do I mind?, ask me later.

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I have followed Oruese since he resumed office as the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State and he has been able to change the narrative.

Why does he have die hard Esisoite? Why do they remain resolute, irrespective of what people on the other side see as foibles and failings of his act?
I tell you, Esiso is not your conventional politician, who does things as usual, but his actions have spoken louder than voice, from Akintola to Crudas, Omene road to Lawrence road in Sapele the list is countless, come and see the unexpected happening in our own “urban area”, Laboard road. On human empowerment please ask from our commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Julius Egbedi to Chief Eugene Inoaghan to Chief Perkins Umukoro to Mr Bright Abeke to Hon Stanley Eta Eshanomi, the list is endless.
So why won’t they follow Oruese, when they see a straight man, the Akhali of Delta State, the Oruese of the Universe, should they not follow him? Should they not sing his praise on his born day. Now that they see a man who has come to make a difference, they have chosen to stand by him all the way.

We know people who had access to power and only their families benefited from it. And yet some people say they are fanatical Esisoites. Yes, for the development of Sapele and Delta, people will continue to be Esisoites.

Many acts of kindness have I have seen Oruese shown to many, and so on this auspicious day, I celebrate Chief Barr. Kingsley Esiso.

Esisoites, and thousands of Deltans are saying thank God for bringing Chief Esiso our way. May his strength be renewed daily. He’s our miracle man, whom nobody could have predicted years ago would still be were he is today. We love him because he first loved us, and he is serving us with all that is in him. Like that Uncle at the ,park said “tell Esiso say we de see him good work”, I say happy birthday to a great leader.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE PEOPLE’S CHAIRMAN