𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦--𝗘𝗦𝗘-𝗢𝗗𝗢 2027: 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗘𝗯𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻, 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

A major political development has emerged from Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, as a prominent grassroots mobilizer and strong contender in the race for the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ebiegberi Bigman Emokenighan, formally steps down from his ambition in a strategic move that is already reshaping the dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the constituency.

Widely regarded as one of the most formidable aspirants in the contest, Emokenighan had, in a relatively short period, built an extensive and deeply rooted political structure across the wards of Ese-Odo. His campaign was characterized by intense grassroots engagement, direct community outreach, and a growing support base cutting across youths, women groups, and key local stakeholders. Political observers noted that his presence introduced a new level of competitiveness into the race, driven by his visibility, accessibility, and investment in local political organization.

From riverine communities to interior wards, his network of loyalists and coordinators had gained traction, positioning him as a serious force with both financial commitment and on-the-ground influence. His message of development, empowerment, healthcare, job creation and rural electrification resonated strongly among constituents, particularly among underserved communities who saw in his candidacy a pathway to inclusion and visibility in state politics.

However, in a move described by party insiders as both strategic and symbolic of party discipline, Emokenighan has now stepped aside in support of Hon. Allen Toyin. The decision, sources say, reflects not only his loyalty to party leadership but also a calculated effort to preserve unity within the APC ahead of future electoral contests.

His withdrawal is already generating reactions across the political landscape in Ese-Odo, with many supporters expressing mixed feelings, ranging from disappointment over the loss of a vibrant candidacy to admiration for what they describe as a rare act of political sacrifice in favor of collective party interest.

In a personally signed statement made available to newsmen, the aspirant explained the reasons behind his decision and reaffirmed his commitment to the party and the people. The message reads in full:

"𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗜 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗬 𝗠𝗛𝗔 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬--𝗛𝗢𝗡. 𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗚𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗜 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦.

𝐁𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧--𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬.

1𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 2026|𝐈𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐛𝐨, 𝐄𝐬𝐞-𝐎𝐝𝐨 𝐋𝐆𝐀, 𝐎𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.

My beloved leaders, elders, youths, and the great people of Ese-Odo LGA.

My fellow party faithful across Ese-odo, Ondo State.

I greet you all with respect and a heart full of gratitude.

In recent days, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of our dear State, made a pronouncement regarding the Ese-Odo State Constituency seat in the House of Assembly. He expressed his desire that Hon. Allen Toyin is allowed to serve for eight years as our Member House of Assembly.

As a loyal party man and Capability, as a son of the soil, and as someone who believes in leadership, I have listened. And I have heard His Excellency clearly.

Therefore, I, Hon. Emokenighan Ebiegberi Bigman, The Magnanimous  hereby declare my full support for Hon. Allen Toyin to continue and complete eight years as Member representing Ese-Odo Constituency.

This is not a decision I took lightly. My original plan was to purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and move forward with my aspiration. My team and I had already begun consultations across the wards of Ese-Odo. I had printed posters. I had engaged Youths. I had set up structures.

Let me be honest with you, my people. This MHA race has not been easy for me.

For the past some months ago, I have committed my personal resources, my time, and my energy into building a movement for a better Ese-Odo. I have sold property. I have taken loans. I have traveled by canoe at midnight to meet delegates and party members I have fed ward meetings from my pocket. All because I believe Ese-Odo deserves more.

My political vision has always been clear and understandable:

1. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT:

Many of our Youths are Jobless. Without daily income, survival becomes hard. Idleness pushes some into crime, kidnapping, and unrest. But with jobs, peace will return to Ese-Odo.

2. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT:

Create a Job for Ese-Odo Women seed capital for market women and fish sellers and provisions for business women's.

3. HEALTHCARE:

Equip all primary health centers with solar power and a monthly drug bank to end (No Drugs) complaints in Ese-odo.

4. VOICE:

Ese-Odo will not be silent. I intended to be a loud, respected, and negotiating voice for Ijaw interest at the State House of Assembly.

5. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION & CONNECTIVITY:

Provide solar street lights for Arogbo Ward III, especially in Biagbini Kingdom where our people currently live without electricity and network coverage. No community should be in darkness or cut off from the world.

These are not campaign promises. These are blueprints I have already costed with experts. This is the Ese-Odo dream I have carried.

WHY I’M STEPPING DOWN

But today, I am dropping my personal dream for our collective peace.

His Excellency is the leader of our party and the father of the State. When a father speaks, a loyal son listens. Stability in Ese-Odo is bigger than Hon. Emokenighan Ebiegberi Bigman ambition. Party unity ahead of 2027 is bigger than my posters. If my stepping aside will bring peace to our party, give His Excellency less headache, and allow Hon. Allen Toyin to concentrate on delivering for our people, then The Magnanimous will do it.

Let no one say I, Hon. Emokenighan Ebiegberi Bigman was forced out. I was not. I am choosing a party over myself. I am choosing Ese-Odo over.

To my Elder brother, Hon. Allen Toyin: You now carry the hopes of Ese-Odo for the next four years to complete your eight years. I ask you as your brother, do not forget the creeks. Do not forget the women in the terms of Empowerment. Do not forget the Jobless Graduates. My vision is now your vision. My blueprint is available to you. My team is available to you. Let us work together.

I, Hon. Emokenighan Ebiegberi Bigman, The Magnanimous, will support you with all I have. I will campaign for you. I will defend you. Because when you win, Ese-Odo wins.

To my teeming supporters who have spent their money, their time, and their prayers on this journey: I say thank you. I am sorry for the disappointment and this is not a disappointment it's part of the party system and the race. But please, do not be angry. Do not abuse leaders. Politics is a marathon. My time will come. For now, let us channel all that energy into supporting Hon. Allen Toyin and our great party.

I am not quitting politics. I am only stepping aside for now. The Magnanimous remains in Ese-Odo. My phone remains open. My voice  remains loud. My heart remains with the people.

Finally, I thank His Excellency for his leadership. Your Excellency, you have a loyal son in Ese-Odo. Count on me for peace, for unity, and for victory in all elections

God bless Hon. Allen Toyin.

God bless Ese-Odo LGA.

God bless Ondo State.

God bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria"

Signed:

Hon. Ebiegberi Bigman Emokenighan

The Magnanimous!

Aspirant Who Stepped Down For Party Unity.

1st May, 2026".

For many observers, the move reinforces Emokenighan’s image as a disciplined party figure with long-term political calculations, suggesting that his influence within Ese-Odo’s political landscape remains firmly intact despite his withdrawal from the current race.