It is true that Edo Central Senatorial District has been crying blue murder, accusing both Edo South and Edo North of denying them access to gubernatorial power.
They believe passionately that this amount to injustice, lack of equity and fair play.
Therefore, they demand that someone from Edo Central to be voted for as Governor in 2024.
In their view, this will be in the interest of peace, unity and the spirit of consanguinity of most of the people of Edo State as voting for an Esan man will give the people of that area a sense of belonging. A press conference was recently addressed on the subject.
And recently (A couple of days ago), the traditional and political leadership in Esanland visited HRM, Oba of Benin in his palace ostensibly to push the campaign forward.
It is within their right to agitate and advocate on matters of great concern to them. However, as they say, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
In this case, you cannot be profiting from injustice and lack of fair play in one breath and be demanding for understanding and the sympathy of your victims in another. Both extremes are irreconcilable!
Put bluntly, if any Senatorial District has suffered injustice, lack of fair play and outright marginalization, it is Edo South.
The plight of Edo South were contrived by persons who found themselves in position of power and influence from the other two Senatorial Districts at various times.
These injuries, pains and humiliation have been grudgingly but silently endured by the people of Edo South.
But their silence should not embolden those who embraced injustice while poking their noses because it served their interests. The question of homogeneity and consanguinity of the people was Greek to them at the time.
Let us clearly identify these consequential callous acts of injustice meted against Edo South for decades:
i. The creation of Local Government Areas and political constituencies that suddenly reduced Edo South majority to minority status in Edo State is injustice unspeakable.
Edo citizens from the North and Central, who were in the commanding heights of past military and civilian Federal Governments deliberately undermined Edo people by discounting glaring measurement and statistical facts, which is, that Edo South is about 58% of the landmass of Edo State and about 60% of the population.
Yet, they pandered to clannish sentiments by influencing the creation of only seven local government areas for Edo South and eleven local government areas for less than half the state which constitute Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.
By the criteria of landmass and population, Edo South should have been entitled to more than half of LGAS in the State if Late Akhigbe, Late Aikhomu and Late Anenih who wielded power nationally at the time in question cared about history, justice and fair play.
ii. As a consequence, eleven local government areas in the two Senatorial districts receive federal monthly allocation in excess of seven local government areas in Edo South since one of the criteria for revenue allocation is equality of LGAS.
With more LGAS, more development centers were simultaneously created, thus facilitating the overall development of such areas. And Edo South remain shortchanged!
iii. A much more practical example of how Edo South has been cheated over the years can be driven home by the number of representatives allotted in the State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.
In Edo State House of Assembly, Edo South is represented by ten out of twenty four members and in the House of Representatives, Edo South is represented by four out of nine members allotted.
This is perhaps, the only unit of democratic practice in the world that is blind to the principle representation by population.
iv. Furthermore, the Federal Character principle which translates to quota formula for employment in Nigeria have been subverted against the interest of Edo South in political appointments and employment into federal services.
Thus statistically, Edo South is far less visible than the other districts in federal services following the patronizing employment drive by Chief Tony Anenih and his political sidekicks in favor of their people during the long period of his political dominance of Edo State.
In addition to other factors, Edo South has severely suffered from arrested development due largely to the cumulative impact of marginalization.
The incumbent Governor sees himself as an elite global player and appeared to have neatly maintained distance from Edo South interest. Edo South should carefully scout and produce a homeboy as Governor in 2024.
We need someone who live amongst the people and someone who knows Edo South inside-out.
We need someone whose antecedent demonstrates respects for traditions and culture of the people and who is passionate about the growth and development of Edoland!
Edo South contribute about 70% of the resources of Edo State, yet the district is dotted with rusty villages and towns on steady decline due largely to lack of modern infrastructure and industries.
From 2024, we need a Governor who will commit the resources of the state in no less a percentage that it contributes to the development of our land unapologetically.
The massive building of modern infrastructure, the location of institutions, the attraction of farms and industries along Agricultural value chain will catalyze the development and the restoration of socio-economic life in Edo South rurality.
Conclusion:
Consequent upon the above illustrated concerns, Edo South will hold on to the position of Governor.
And if we decide to admit anyone else, we shall make the decision and give clear conditions for such concession. Edo South has been mercilessly undermined and marginalized in a state that they have so much stake.
The world has no pity for people who are passive over injuries and injustices committed against them no matter how heinous! Edo
South must assert her political power and reclaim her rightful place as a necessary step towards national relevance. It will surely pay off in terms of opening up more opportunities for growth and development for our people at all levels.
Edo Central people once relished with gusto the political domination of the state by Chief Anenih and Chief Ikimi, huddling around the imaginary lines of rivalry and division created by them.
They cannot now seek our understanding and sympathy even when the dividends of those undue advantages are still being exclusively enjoyed by them at the expense of Edo South.
The political strength and influence of Edo South must now be deployed to protect her interests, to facilitate the development of the district and to advance the fortunes of her people.
It is the legitimate right of the Edos not only as the majority but as the direct inheritors of the history, culture and traditions of Edo ethnic nationality.
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This argument, sound as it appears, is a pathway to unnecessary collision with the relative peace and political stability in Edo State. Edo Central, and Edo North cannot be blamed for the docility, complacency and unpatriotic disposition of political actors of Edo South, even till date, as have been demonstrated by the incumbent Governor of the State.
It is one thing to have power, and another thing to know what to do with that power, and how to use it. Edo South lacks political leadership today only because of the self centered disposition and posturing of its political actors. Note my not referring to them as leaders. Because, a leader is selfless, and possessed of a sense of collectivism rather than personal interest.
In the example of the creation of Local Government Areas cited by the writer, how can you blame people for their good sense of responsibility? Where were Edo South actors when those creations were being negotiated? I can bet they were pursuing their selfish personal interests with the same Government. Other than Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory, which other person from Edo South has provided political leadership in the State? None!
In the history of the geopolitical entity, dating back from the Mid-West Region, through Bendel State to the present Edo State, there have been only three political leaders, in the true sense of the word, and they are: Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia (Edo South), Professor Ambrose Alli (Edo Central), and only recently, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North). All others, who have stopped at Osadébé Avenue, have been political jobbers after their personal aggrandizement, much at the expense of the State and its people.
For the sake of peace and progress in the State, let us refrain from this unnecessary journey of errors and political festering, as it portends to no good, or useful purpose. It is best that we seek out the best for the exalted office of Governor of our State, regardless of which part of the State he/she is from, and learn how to hold our public office holders accountable for our wellbeing.
In the present circumstances preparatory to the gubernatorial election in 2024, there’s no gainsaying the fact that Edo Central should take its turn for the governorship, Edo South having had about four terms (under Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Mr. Godwin Obaseki), and Edo North having had two terms (under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole). This is in the spirit of equity and fair play. Whatever each District does while in office, is up to them, as well as the people of the State to judge.
We should also discountenance those habitual seasonal contestants jostling for the position of Governor of the State. They’re up to no good, other than their selfish personal interest. They come every four years to contest elections, after which you don’t see or hear from them again, until the next election season.
An exception to the above is Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor who, incidentally, is from Edo Central. Out of the lot advertising their favorite photographs now in want of opportunity to run for the office of Governor of Edo State, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor stands out as the only one that merits the endorsement.
I speak without prejudice or bias, and without fear, or favour. I speak in the overriding public interest of Edo State.