By Paul Ojeka
There is a world of difference between informed dissent and incoherent agitation. In this digital age, where social media has conferred a voice on virtually everyone, not every voice carries substance, depth, or literary value. One occasionally encounters poorly constructed notes of protest, saturated with pretension yet devoid of coherence, and one is compelled to question the intellectual rigour behind such efforts. Advocacy, if it must command attention, requires clarity of thought, cogency of argument, and disciplined expression. It is not enough to assemble words and baptise them as protest. Where the substance of argument is required, emotional outbursts and disjointed narratives cannot suffice.
The marketplace of ideas is governed not by meritless noise but by demonstrable contribution. That is why shallow compositions, however theatrically presented, fail to resonate beyond fleeting digital spaces. Intellectual engagement demands structure, evidence, and a demonstrable understanding of the issues at stake. Before anyone presumes to assume a complementary role in the affairs of Yache, it is both proper and necessary to assess measurable contributions to humanity, especially within one’s immediate social milieu.
Under the tutelage and exemplary leadership of Senator Professor Stephen Odey, whose philanthropy and legal acumen are widely acknowledged, the evidentiary signs of benevolence and socio-economic intervention in Yache remain not only visible but verifiable. The empowerment initiatives, educational support systems, infrastructural contributions, and socio-cultural uplift associated with his stewardship are neither abstract claims nor rhetorical embellishments. They are concrete realities that have touched households, strengthened livelihoods, and inspired communal confidence. These contributions are humongous in scale and enduring in impact, and they stand tall against the vitriolic effusions of detractors.
Yache has a united and organised political structure under the leadership of Senator Professor Stephen Odey, whose capacity remains unrivalled. The peaceful and unanimous projection of the APC ward executives on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, speaks volumes of his commitment to unity of purpose and disciplined political coordination within Yache. It further reflects the collective verdict and support of the Yache people for the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and for the broader objective of attracting sustainable development to Yache.
This convocation of minds and bodies toward a shared political vision is not without tangible gains. The infrastructural development witnessed in Yache, the expanding opportunities for employment, and the increasing recognition of Yache in the political affairs of Cross River State all testify to the dividends of unity. Progress has followed organisation; advancement has followed cohesion.
Consequently, Yache needs cooperation rather than opposition orchestrated by disgruntled elements who, under the influence of exploitative outsiders posturing as political allies, seek to fracture the harmony that has yielded measurable progress. Community advancement flourishes in an atmosphere of solidarity, not suspicion. The so-called seekers of a new mantle of leadership must, therefore, unveil their own records of service before attempting to undermine established and verifiable achievements.
No one, to date, has demonstrated contributions to the empowerment and development of Yache that rival those of Senator Professor Stephen Odey. This is not hyperbole; it is a matter open to public verification. If there exist personal disagreements, they should be addressed directly and responsibly. Yache must not be used as a convenient platform for the projection of private grievances or manufactured struggles. The stability and progress of the community cannot be sacrificed on the altar of ambition.
As the philosopher Aristotle reminds us, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Unity, therefore, is not merely a sentimental aspiration but a strategic necessity for communal advancement. Similarly, Edmund Burke cautioned that “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one.” The lesson is clear: organised purpose sustains progress.
As a writer and stakeholder in the intellectual space, I remain committed to defending truth with reasoned articulation and literary strength. If truth is not professed, falsehood will dominate and overshadow it. The future of Yache depends not on the loudness of dissent but on the depth of contribution. And on that scale, the record speaks clearly.
Paul Ojeka, writes from Calabar.