By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Akoko-Edo and Owan Alliance, social-cultural groups have advocated the zoning of the 2027 Edo North senatorial slot to either Akoko-Edo or Owan for equity sake.
The group in a statement signed by Elder Steve Imoudu and several others and made available to Journalists in Benin, said that the two federal constituencies, Akoko-Edo and Owan have been heavily marginalized by the Etsakos but have now chosen to take their destiny in their hands by coming together to address an issue that is of common importance to them.
The group said despite their numerical strength and electoral contributions, to the state, the dividends have always been enjoyed by the Etsako.
“We are pleased to welcome you and to appreciate you all for honouring the invitation to this press conference which is being held under the auspices of Akoko-Edo and Owan Alliance, a body which is desirous to engender a meeting of minds across the two neighbouring Federal Constituencies of Akoko-Edo and Owan.
“We wish to inform you that these two federal constituencies, with a population of over 2.5million spread nationwide, have a vast solid minerals hub across 310,000 hectares of arable land mass, and a verifiable voting strength of over 324,907 (August 2024 INEC Register).
“This unity of purpose is necessitated by our twin fate of gross marginalization in democratic dividends accruing to Edo North Senatorial District which has brought about high under-development to Akoko-Edo and Owan people.
“This press conference is a bold statement of our opposition to the continuing marginalization and an attempt to become strategic in pursuing our collective vision and aspiration as two of the three sub-ethnic groups in Edo North, the third being Etsako.
“The unfair and inequitable dominance of Etsako over Akoko-Edo and Owan is exemplified in the apparent zonal capture of access to the position of the Senate seat for the zone.
“For instance, despite the fact that we are about 70 percent of the population of Edo-North, we have only had a mere 15 percent representation in the Senate since 1960.
“Historical record speaks in our favour as follows:- Chief E.A Lamai (1960 – 1966) Etsako, Senator John Umolu (1979 – 1983) Etsako, Senator Franca Afegbua (Oct – Dec 1983)Etsako, Senator Albert Legogie (Dec.1992 – Nov. 1993) Etsako, Senator Victor K. Oyofo (1999 – 2007) Etsako, Senator Yisa Braimoh (2007 – 2011)Owan, Senator Domingo Obende (2011 – 2015) Akoko-Edo, Senator Francis Alimikhena (2015 – 2023) Etsako and Senator Adams Oshiomhole (2023 – 2027) Etsako”, the group said.
The aggrieved group said that the above analysis clearly shows that Akoko and Owan only occupied the Senate slot for four years each since 1960.
They said this is evidently unfair, unjust, and becoming an act of wickedness of brother against brother within the Afemai brotherhood adding that this was not the Afemai dream of their fore-fathers.
They also said that further statistics shows an inequitable 75 percent distribution of elective and appointive positions to Etsako while Akoko-Edo and Owan are left with just 25 percent pointing out that an appraisal of the distribution lends credence to the need for a reconsideration of the status quo.
They went to say that Etsako has occupied the following positions since 1999; Governor 8 years, Deputy-Governor 15 years, Minister 6 years, Ambassador 4 years,
Presidential Aide 6 years, Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue 8 years, Federal Commissioners/Members at EFCC, FCDA, Director-General, National Institute of Sports and many others.
They however reiterated that Akoko-Edo and Owan are relevant in Edo North.
According to the group “This Press Conference is to state in clear terms that we will no longer watch and condone this lopsidedness in the distribution of political positions in Afemai.
“The recent reconstitution of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma is a particularly sore one with all three appointees representing Edo North being from Etsako.
“It is instructive to note that Akoko-Edo and Owan gave about 25 percent of the 291,667 votes to the Governor Okpebholo’s mandate in the September 2024 election.
“We are, therefore, jointly entitled to a minimum 25 percent of State and Federal dividends accruing to Edo State as elective, appointive positions as well as in employment, empowerment and infrastructure development opportunities.
“We firmly posit that rotation of elective political offices among component ethnic groups is a compulsory feature of democratic governance.
“We therefore strongly advise the major political Parties to Zone 2027 Edo North Senatorial slot away from Etsako to either Akoko-Edo or Owan, as a step to political equity and justice”, they said.
