DAN OGBEGIE’S BLACKMAIL AND THE FUTILITY OF BITTERNESS

 

There is a season for everything under the sun, and for Edo people, the season of endless political rancour has passed. We are moving forward with the energy of a people determined to build, not bicker. Sadly, one man, Dan Ogbegie, has chosen to remain stuck in yesterday, recycling old grudges and trading in blackmail. Edo has moved on; Dan Ogbegie has not.

The desperation that drives his latest outbursts is familiar: bitterness disguised as activism, envy dressed up as analysis. His politics has always been defined not by conviction, but by grievance. When expectations are not met, his voice grows louder, not in the service of truth, but as an outlet for personal frustration. Today, his barbs are directed at Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Tomorrow, it may be someone else. But Edo people know better. They know that these tantrums are not born of principle, but of self-interest.

Indeed, Ogbegie’s antics betray more than just personal bitterness. They point to a darker agenda, one already visible in his past alignments. As a former supporter of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, it is only a matter of time before his current tirades are conveniently weaponized to create divisions among Edo leaders. But here lies the futility of his mission: Pastor Ize-Iyamu himself has risen above politics and has spoken in the language of unity. In his own words after the Supreme Court affirmed the mandate of Governor Monday Okpebholo, he declared in an article titled *“Beyond Politics: a Time To Unite”* - _“The time has come for all of us, regardless of political affiliation, to put the election behind us, heal old wounds, and focus on the higher task of building a greater Edo State.”_

This is the spirit now defining Edo politics: a governor focused on governance, a former opponent extending hands of cooperation, leaders across divides choosing to strengthen the collective future. Against this backdrop, Ogbegie’s noise is more than irrelevant, it is out of tune with the new Edo reality.

Edo people deserve better than the bitterness of one man. They deserve the unity of all. The true conversation before us is not about Ogbegie’s tantrums but about how we rally together to restore infrastructure, secure lives, create jobs, improve healthcare and education, and build a state that works for every citizen. That is the task at hand, and it is too important to be derailed by petty distractions.

Edo people are wiser, stronger, and more determined than ever. And no matter how loud the noise of bitterness, it cannot drown out the sound of progress.

_Efosa Uhunamure writes from Oredo_