06/06/2026
THE ₦31 MILLION TEST OF CHARACTER
There are moments in a man’s life when destiny does not announce itself with drums. It comes quietly. It enters like a stranger at dusk, sits in the corner of the room, and waits to see what the man will do when nobody is watching.
For Hon. Barr. Fidel Ebi Egoro, one of such moments came when he was Chairman of Yala Local Government Council. His tenure was almost over. Barely one month remained. The bags were almost packed. The chair was already preparing for another occupant.
Then Yala Local Government received its monthly allocation of about ₦31 million. Nothing unusual.
But shortly after, the same amount came in again. The exact sum. Twice.
In a country where public money often grows wings and flies away without trace, many would have called it fortune. Some would have called it “God’s blessing.” Others would have quickly gathered around the table, sharpened their knives, and shared the meat before the owner of the goat returned. And truly, some voices came. “Let us share it.” “After all, we are leaving office.”
But Fidel Egoro saw beyond the temptation of the moment. He understood that public funds are not kolanut to be broken among friends. He understood that leadership is not a farm where every man harvests for his own barn.
So he travelled to Calabar to report the matter. Even when the records initially suggested that no such duplication had occurred, he stood firm. He knew what had entered the council account. He knew the money had come twice.
On returning to Yala, he gave a clear instruction: Do not touch it. That was the moment. No camera.
No applause. No crowd chanting his name.
Just a man, public money, and conscience standing like a watchman at the gate. He knew that if the money was spent, the burden would fall on the next administration and ultimately on the people of Yala. So the money remained there.
Untouched. Like a calabash of palm wine kept for its rightful owner.
Eventually, the bank discovered the error. The money had indeed been paid twice. And because Fidel Egoro refused to tamper with it, the funds were returned without scandal, without shame, and without the people suffering for another man’s appetite.
This is not a small story. It is the kind of story we must tell our children when we speak of leadership.
Because integrity is not grammar. Integrity is not campaign noise. Integrity is what a man does when the road is dark, the gate is open, and he can carry what does not belong to him without being caught.
Hon. Barr. Fidel Libia Egoro was tested with over ₦31 million. He did not fail. He chose conscience over convenience. He chose the people over personal gain. He chose honour when dishonour looked easy.
At a time when our politics desperately needs men whose hands can be trusted with the people’s future, this story should not be forgotten.
Ogoja/Yala does not need a man who is only loud in campaign season.
We need a man whose character has already spoken before the microphone was handed to him.
*That is why Hon. Barr. Fidel Ebi Egoro stands out.*
*Rally around a man we can trust*
