Sapele 2024: Who The Cap Fits!

By Onajite Malcolm Tagbarha, FHNR

My title is a line taken from one of the late Robert Nesta Marley’s (Bob Marley) popular songs, titled ‘who the cap fits’. I can almost hear you, my dear reader, complete the lyrics by singing ‘let them wear it.’ Did I hear you say Malcolmatically speaking, which cap is Malcolm writing about this time?

Sapele, the historic ancient city of Midwestern Nigeria, that used to be a bubbling city but has suffered a lot of socio-economic challenges in recent times, needs a proactive leader with enormous grassroot experience, wisdom and street credibility to consolidate on the achievements of the current Chairman, Hon. (Chief) Eugene Inoaghan, whom I believe has done his best to redirect the Sapele to a path of peace and progress.

Having been privileged to serve under Chief Eugene Inoaghan, as the pioneer Chief Press Secretary, with the rare opportunity to observe, learn and understand the inner workings of governance at the Local Government level, I can authoritatively say he has done creditable well to deserve my accolades.

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Interestingly, as we gradually edge towards the end of the second term in office of Chief Eugene Inoaghan, the question on the lips of keen observers and political pundits within Sapele is, “Who will take over from him?”

Meanwhile, as one with an ear to the ground, and at my last count from wards 1 to 11, there has been about 15 politicians amongst whom there’s a woman, from different political parties, who have signalled their intention to vie for the Chairmanship position in Sapele Local Government Area. And of these numbers, some can be said to be serious contenders while others are serious jokers. However, most are either men or women with some level of political experience but lack grassroot following or men or women with some level of political experience and has no grassroot following. Nevertheless, whoever will take over from the current Local Government Chairman, should have the requisite leadership capacity to build on his achievements of the incumbent and subsequently, take Sapele to her rightful place of greatness.

Though, we understand that the primary job of any politician is to get the majority of his people on his side. And the people are the repositories of power and the elected emerges by the grace of God through the votes of the people. However, it takes one who has the requisite wisdom, knowledge, and track record of competence, capacity and compassion, to have the majority of the people on his side.

I have taken time to provide a brief background in order to situate in proper context the kind of personality expected to be the next Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area.

Since governance is like a relay race, and who will take over the relay baton of leadership from Hon.(Chief) Eugene Inoaghan, should be someone that is abidingly cerebral with grassroot presence. He should be consummately refined, and infinitely resourceful. He should be endlessly affable and must have the requisite qualifications, experience, clout, and depth of character to lead from the front.

I can authoritatively say that amongst those that are nursing the ambition of becoming the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, only a very few has the grassroot support base that extends beyond their wards with strong presence in virtually all the other wards within the local government area.

Finally, I believe it is from within the different political parties administration that the options for the masses will emerge. Therefore, it behoves on the different political parties to search within and present the very best from the pack, so that the masses will be presented with veritable options to pick the very best of the best to become the next Local Government Chairman.

Is it going to be a dark house that will finally emerge as the next Executive Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area? Only time can tell. Who the cap fits, let him wear it.

Tagbarha Malcolm, FHNR, a multi-award winning writer, author, certified United States Agency for International Development, (USAID/International Republican Institute, IRI) campaign trainer and National Legislative Policy Advocate and political communicator, is a former Special Assistant, SA to Delta State Governor, State Publicity Secretary, Coalition for Media Politics and Governance, CMPG, State Secretary, PDP New Generation, Delta State Chapter. He was a member of the Media and Field Operations Committees respectively of the PDP Campaign Council.
He is the Pioneer Chief Press Secretary to Sapele LGA Council, and a fellow of the prestigious Institute of Human and Natural Resources.