ARC BISHOP ANTHONY OKOSUN; THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED. By Amb. Tony Okonigene

*ARC BISHOP ANTHONY OKOSUN; THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED.* 

By Amb. Tony Okonigene

Those familiar with the Holy Scripture will readily quote the verse that says "The stone that the builders  rejected, has become the corner stone".

On the 20th of March, 2020, delegates to the PDP state congress in Edo state, overwhelmingly voted for Arc. Bishop Anthony Okosun PhD, as The State Vice Chairman of the party representing Edo Central Senatorial District. According to the provisions of The PDP constitution, that effectively makes him the Senatorial Caucus Chairman and the official leader of the party in Edo Central. The popular choice made by the delegates was made easy because of the antecedents of the respected man of God who has stood firm on the part of the party over the years. There is no doubting the fact that Dr Okosun is a true party man.

Like most librators and  hero, Bishoo Okosun was rejected by some top leaders of The PDP in Edo Central led by the incumbent Senator, Clifford Ordia. The senator, despite all appeals from Bishop Okosun and his senatorial executive Committee, refused to recognize the body. He had no dealing whatsoever with the senatorial executive insisting that Bishoo Okosun was not his choice. 

When The Edo state PDP decided to adopt Governor Godwin Obaseki as its candidate for the 2020 governorship elections, Senator Clifford Ordia through his SLA, Barr Osemede (Dynaca), called a meeting of all the state delegates in his home at Usugbenu. This was supposed to be done by the senatorial chairman, Bishop Okosun.

In his determination for reconciliation and peace, Bishop Okosun overlooked the slight and attended the meeting. When the SLA was asked to invite Bishop Okosun to the high table, he refused saying that Bishop Okosun was not recognized as the Senatorial Chairman. Still  the man of God endured the humiliation and sat inside the canopy with others.

To rob it in, Dynaco invited Bishop Okosun to come and say the closing prayers. Like a true man of God that he is who has no place for bitterness in his heart, he prayed for the success of the PDP. He endured the neglects and other humiliations thrown at him to to keep the party intact.

To remove Bishop Okosun, there was a massive support for the harmonization of the elected exco. Senator Ordia and his followers pursued the harmonization agenda until it was laid to rest by the court. A lot of the executive members at the wards, local government and state levels of the party, especially those from Esan Central LGA, suffered rejection. They were refused even the normal Christmas largess.

It was therefore an interesting scene to see Senator Clifford Ordia seated in a senatorial meeting conveyed by Bishop Okosun on the 2nd day of March, 2020 to push for the support of his third term agenda. It is also ironical that the same Bishop Okosun and his executive committee members, who were rejected, are now the ones that will determine the fate of Senator Ordia. His SLA, who refused to acknowledge Bishop Okosun was raising his hand for permission to speak during the meeting. He was shouted down.

Like his predecessors in office, the likes of Sir F. E Ulinfun, Chief Ene and Chief Benjamin (Ceaser), the current Senatorial Chairman, Bishop Okosun, has stood firmly with the principle of zoning and rotation of elective offices in the senatorial district. He has said it loud and clear, that there is no third tenure in Edo Central Senatorial district.