By Emmanuel Ekebe
For quite a while now, the campaign of ‘ No Light, No Campaign’ in Isoko has been on the front porch and it is getting momentum by the day.
It is a welcomed development and should actually be of interest to every well meaning Isoko person.
Over the years, in my monthly column and other platforms, I have written severally on the need to address the abysmal state of power supply in Isoko land.
In all these write ups, the obvious humongous benefits of constant power supply in the socio-economic lives of the people were highlighted consistently.
Nevertheless, no matter the hues and cries, protests and advocacy in numerous dimensions, non seem to sway the powers that be.
Equally dismal is the key political actors within the Isoko ethnic nationality that have remained mute on the issue.
Agreed that poor electricity supply is a national malady that has defied all remedial interventions, but the reality is that the Isoko case is just too peculiar and appalling due to the abundance of gas, a major ingredient for generating electricity.
Also very insulting and mind bugling is that the gas being flared day- in – day – out is visiting unimaginable damages on the health of the people over time.
With the recent renewed campaign upsurge which has gone viral, another level of the agitation has been attained, including taking the cries beyond the boarders.
I salute Morris Igelige, Ubara Obaro and others who have relentlessly given verve to this challenging struggle.
To this end, Ubara’s representation live on Channels TV last Tuesday was a blast and most commendable.
However, on the flip side, I’m amazed that some fifth columnists have surfaced criticizing the campaign drivers.
Their allegations include ‘being sponsored by political interests’, ‘identifying with politically exposed persons’ and ‘being found in some places perceived to indicate compromise’ amongst others.
Without holding brief for the front runners in the battle for Isoko to have stable electricity, I wish to state unambiguously that blackmail, criticism, blame game, bulk passing or division is not what we need now.
After all, the light being agitated for will not be connected only to the home of one single individual or one community when eventually actualized.
My take is that we must be guided, rise in unison to support this noble course with full force to the benefit of us all.
It must and should succeed because we have what it takes once we are bound in unity behind the front runners belling the cat.
Like it is always said, getting the Mother – in-Law from the well is more critical than where she was held in the course of rescuing her.
Finally, I wish to caution that for whatever reason, if you can’t join the train of ‘Isoko Must Have Light ‘, then don’t truncate it by throwing spanners into the works.
The course is noble and any one against it; HOLY GHOST 🔥 FIRE!
