Members of a Socio-cultural group in the name of Esan New Era alongside other socio-political organization have call on political stakeholders in Edo State to as a matter of fairness and equity streamline the race for the Governorship position of the State to the Edo Central Senatorial District.
This call they says become necessary so as to set the record straight as the Senatorial District is the only Zone amongst the three geo-political in the state that has not had it’s fair share, as far as the Governorship position of the state is Concern.
And for this they are call on all political actors and non actors across the state to put to cognizant the reason why and Esan man should be the next Governor of the State.
Addressing journalist in Benin the secretary General of the group, Chris Onoye, noted that Following the political history of Edo State since the return to democracy in 1999, Edo South has held governorship position for sixteen years and Edo North for eight years respectively while Edo Central can’t be said to have led the state with the eighteen months of Senator Professor Osunbor ousted by the courts for Edo North emergence in 2007. With dashed hopes and series of maginalisation when compared to the principles of equity and equality in principal positions of the deputy, secretary to the government and that of the chief of staff, Esan were only allotted the position of the speakership of the House of Assembly successively with reshuffling by impeachments and counter impeachments. These never struck a balance in the three districts between efficiency and equity.
He also revealed that the Esan have had long political history of wins from Chief Enahoro to the First Esan civilian Governor renowned Prof Ambrose Alli to sages and foremost political leaders such as late Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Tom Ikhimi and other most especially Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu a former Vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria and as well played a vital roll in the creation of the state from the old Bendel state.
He further explain that though the late Aikhomu wielded the power to have relocated the capital city of the state to Edo Central where he came from just like what transpired in Delta State where the Capital City was moved to the current Zone owning to political affluence but rather chose to work with other stakeholders there after to ensure that a Benin Man become the first civilian Governor of Edo State in the person of Chief Dr John Odigie Oyegun when He was elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in December 1991 and took oath of office in January 1992.
And remained in office till November 1993 when he was removed by the military government of General Sani Abacha, a coup leader who aborted the Third Republic after the ill-fated annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
Onoye further Pointed out that elders from Edo Central also work in hand with other political actors in the state to ensure that another Benin Man became the state Governor when the country was returning back to a democratic system in 1999 that has span to the current political dispensation.
And For this, he believe that If not for anything but for equity, fairness and Justice that a Person from the Edo Central Senatorial be supported to be the next Governor of the state.
Adding their voices, Prince Emmanuel Odigie, a Member of the Edo State Chapter of All Progressive Party Presidential Campaign Council and Valentine Uduebor, the organizing Secretary of the Esan New Era, both insist that there is no going back on the actualization of the Esan Agenda come 2024 as they appeal to all well meaning Edo sons and daughters to throw their waight behind the quest of making and Esan Person the Next Governor of the State.
