By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Nigeria Army would say, ‘Victory is from God alone’. No doubt, we all understand the fact that the army having known and trained for battles and war, ought to rely on its professionalism, expertise and strengths, but, if the army will turn and recognized that victory only comes from God alone, then, as civilians with no such training, we have no reasons to rely on our wealth, power, fame, wisdom, intellects and connections.
It is on this premise, that one could say that the victory of Sir Chief Hon. Taleb Tebite Ksc, PDP candidate for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, that was decided on October 17, 2022 at the Federal High Court Asaba, Delta State, came from God, but not from man.
No doubt, a primary election was held on March 20, 2022 were Hon. Tabite defeated a two term member of house of representative, Chief Hon. Solomon Awhinawhin. But, surprisingly, Awhinawhin who happened to be a brother, refused to accept defeat.
He, out of ill advise, and possibly desperation to grab and to have it alone, conspired with the power that be and those they referred to as GOD-FATHER, to cancel a peaceful, well organized primary election held under the watch and supervision of INEC, party faithful and the media where Hon. Taleb Tebite emerged winner.
In vain the scripture says, the guard who watch relying in their strengths. So, another purported primary election was rescheduled according to dictates of ‘powers that be’, not minding the mandate of those that says; ” it is Taleb Tebite” we want.
And on May 30th or thereabout, another primary election was said to be held where only one candidate featured in the person of Chief Hon. Solomon Awhinawhin, he was purportedly declared as a winner against the choice of delegates. That day, the world saw how the level of injustice that fell on an innocent man.
Its was like a case of a dog owner that served his two dogs oil in one plate.
Ordinarily, if the tenets of truth and honesty were to be observed, those that celebrated, encouraged or clamour for the respected Awhinawhin to embarked on that mission of jeopardy wouldn’t have even attended that purported primary, if at all he was desperate.
But thanks be to God, the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting at Asaba on Monday, October 17th which declared Hon. Taleb Tebite as the legitimate candidate of the PDP, is a proof that the masses truly knew who they wanted and voted at the primary.
And so, Hon. Taleb Tebite was declared the winner by the Judge, Folashade Olubanjo of the Federal High Court.
Counsel to Taleb Tebite, John Okoriko, while addressing the press, said, the judgment is an indication that the common man also have hope.
Chief Hon. Tebite, is regarded as a pragmatic, dynamic and accessible leader who believes in grassroot politics. Twice he was a member representing his Constituency at the State level and he was considered as one of the best hands after the late Senator Pius Akpo Ewherido. No doubt, his regime brought a lot of changes, empowerments to hundreds of youths from the three axis of Ughievwen, Olomu and Ewu in the local government area as his developmental initiatives spread across board.
The children, youths and the aged all benefited from his kindness, sincerity of purpose and open hands as a legislator.
His victory no doubt will favor and benefit everyone across the three local government areas.
Hon. Taleb Tebite is a man that knows the nooks and crannies of the Constituency he is going to represent. His mother is from Ughelli North and father from Ughelli South and extended to Udu local government area. He is a grassroot mobilizer, known and always identify with his people. One major thing that set him aside from others is that, he is not a man who will turn his face from the people just because he has been given a position. He is always accessible.
I am very much optimistic that Hon. Tebite, with his agility, intelligence and relationship with others, will no doubt make a change. He is a silent giver and achiever and his style of leadership is unique as human development tops his agendas.
A vote for Taleb Tebite is a vote for prosperity, a vote for progress, development, empowerment and growth. I urged all of us to stand by the winning team and vote in a fresh blood that has vision, broad horizon, profiting ideas and zeal to attract more valuable projects that will benefit the peoples.
It is germane at the moment for all to stay by him, support him and more importantly, pray for him as without God, nothing can be done.
It is not enough to back stab one another as all of us are brothers, and individual gains, greed and quest for money should not destroy us. I call on all leaders of thought to as a matter of goodness, call on both Chief Hon. Solomon Awhinawhin and Chief Hon. Taleb Tebite to work together to actualize the vision he had for the constituency.