The Edos’ angel in heaven must be working overtime, because if recent events are anything to go by, Edos are riding high and seem unstoppable in the quest for democracy; locally or internationally, they win!
In a week where the storm in Delta State’s teacup is sharing the Ibori’s returned loot, Edos welcomed home a hero of their own in similar circumstance, except, Edos’ Osaze Ero looks like he is going to be walking into a lot of loot- from ThisDay newspaper and other media houses who have published untrue and damaging stories about Mr Osaze Ero’s character or why he was arrested. Let’s park these low lives to one side.
Edos are going through a transition of taking stock and appreciating who really means well for the people. Mr Ero was high on this ladder before being rudely interrupted by Europe’s Interpol who took him away for 18 months with no proof. Around the same time politics in Edo State took centre stage. The politicians suffocated the truth and used Mr Ero as a villain in the political chess game. Edo APC and PDP were brandishing damaging stories and issuing denials to distance themselves from him.
When I first spoke to Mr Ero after over 15 months in Italian maximum security facility, he lamented the fact, he has not received a single visit (not one) from any Nigerian government official. His family was in the same boat. We spent a lot of time talking about the countless letters he has written to Nigerian Government officials asking for support for himself and hundreds of Nigerians he met in maximum security prison in Italy who have no way of defending themselves against a very skewed Italian justice system.
For now, we will not spend time on the above negatives but, like Osaze said, we should start finding out a way to save the hundreds of Nigerians trapped in international prisons anywhere in the world. They must have some sort of representation.
In England there were a lot of Edos who genuinely showed concern about Mr Ero and his family’s wellbeing. The Odionwere Council of The United Kingdom & Ireland led by Eng. Bernard Woghiren are in the forefront of that queue. Many Edos called me regularly for updates on Mr Ero’s situation. A special mention to Mr Harrison Aibangbee and Dr. Taiwo Idemudia for their important roles, especially their will to ensure Mr. Ero’s UK MP was fighting for our Brother. Mrs Ivie Ero is a warrior of a lady who went through a lot and passed in flying colours.
A great welcome is awaiting Mr Ero from all the Edo communities Worldwide. All over the world Edos are jubilant, waiting to welcome their illustrious son in open arms in what has been billed as “another Edo Victory”.
The Editor