Solomon Arenyeka: Of Chance, Time, And Season

By TONY EKE

In the fictional world of literature certain works we had read stick to the memory. No matter the intervening years between then and now, we still recollect not just the titles but also the plot structure and themes. With the passage of time, we discover to our delight some formation of companionship between us and very good books right from our impressionable years to our twilight. A stream of beauteous feelings fitfully enriches our lives nourished by experiences gained from the pages of books created by mere mortals.

Among literary works I have read, a 1956 play This Is Our Chance written by James Ene Henshaw, is one of the most memorable. Outside its theme of collisions between tradition and modernity which is emblematic of post colonial African literature, what I find most striking about the drama lies with its title. It is creative, beautiful, and easily applicable to human situations.

A correlation between the aforementioned title and the emergence of Chief Solomon Arenyeka as chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State chapter is real, very conceivable. It’s about chance, just a chance in our mysterious world! Getting a beneficial chance is part of our cravings. As largely unpredicted as it is, Arenyeka’s rise to the foremost party position in Delta State has a tinge of providential manifestation. In human affairs, providence works optimally for those with bright chances! For a man with an abiding faith in the infinite power of God to chart his course at all times, the reference to The God Factor is plausible.

Yes, there were other politicians who sought the position, but the manner in which the lot fell on Arenyeka is as surprising as it’s fascinating. It’s not that he never had a dream of attaining a level higher than his previous positions which included supervisory councillor, Director at the Director Labour Agency (DLA), Executive Chairman of Rural Development Agency (RDA) and Chairman, Board of Directors of Urban Water Board (UWB), but it’s probable he never ever contemplated clinching this position at this point in time.

It is about Arenyeka’s chance, time, and season! His acclamation as chairman by leaders, stakeholders, and members of the party was captured by the pleasant ambience of the state congress in late August in Asaba as well as the outpouring of joy at the thanksgiving service he held in Warri a week ago.

A political novice who casually strolled into that venue might have contended with conjectures arising from the convivial atmosphere. He could have deemed it as a campaign stopover by an emerging leader of a major political party intent on deepening its dominance of a subnational entity, or the homecoming of a great personality who had won a prestigious medal after years of bestriding a competitive path.

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There is no hyperbolic intention whatsoever. Whoever is in doubt should ask those that witnessed the formal transitional ceremonies of past state chairmen of Delta PDP in the last twenty five years. On a comparative basis, Arenyeka’s ceremony was outstanding in a particular way. Unlike the modest events staged for his six predecessors, reflecting to some extent the fledgling circumstances of democracy return, the pomp and gaiety that attended Arenyeka’s inauguration is largely symbolic of the relative consolidation of the extant political dispensation, regardless of its dysfunction.

For many weeks, much of the questions raised by our compatriots hinged on the attributes that earned Arenyeka the position. His ability and skill, exposure and loyalty to the party and experience gained from long years of politicking were not in doubt, yet so many persons still wanted to know the single most important factor which stood him out from the crowd of aspirants. Where is he coming from? What stuff is he really made of? To what extent has his individual role as a frontline politician helped to advance the cause of Delta State?

Quite remarkably, it took just a brief speech of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to disclose the sole reason for the choice of Arenyeka at the thanksgiving service. The governor was quick in identifying God as instrumental in Arenyeka’s choice as the PDP chairman. He also alluded to his general acceptability not only in Delta South senatorial district but across the entire state.

But the governor was not done yet until he listed Arenyeka’s personal qualities:”Your humility, maturity and the love you have earned from the people make you well-suited for this role. We pray that God will continue to strengthen and guide you in uniting our great state and party.”

As days roll into weeks and weeks into months while he settles down alongside members of the party’s Executive Committee, all eyes will be on Arenyeka. There’s certainty that he will rise to the occasion no matter the challenges. After all, he knows that a good way of leaving a legacy is to manage the party and make it much more attractive to the teeming masses, a condition precedent to the PDP’s quest to maintain its dominance of politics of Delta State.

Good a thing, the changing tide of politicking ahead of 2027 elections, in the light of the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to make inroads into the strongholds of his party is not lost on him. Being well aware that a long predicted battle does not claim the life of a cripple let alone a strong man who can run so fast, he will expectedly deploy the tactics of a war commander to defeat his opponents. This is Arenyeka’s chance to lead Delta State chapter of PDP and he will do well judging from his background of service to our dear state.

*Tony Eke, a journalist based in Asaba, Delta State capital, can be reached via tonek6819@gmail.com or on 08035504896(text only).