The pan socio-cultural non partisan organisation, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) has said that its ongoing consultative engagement with prominent political and influential leaders in Edo State, which kicked off in Benin City at the weekend, has been largely fruitful and insightful on the political dynamics in the state.
In a statement by its president, Rt. Hon. Mathew Egbadon and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tony Iyare, EOI is upbeat about the outcome, describing it as “heart warming” and positive.
“We’ve had meaningful heart to heart talks and exchange of ideas with our leaders on how to move Edo State forward and getting them to appreciate the need for the next governor of the state to be of Esan extraction. The discussions have been quite enriching, frank, heart warming and largely fruitful”, the release stated.
The group seeks to interface with prominent leaders of the north and south senatorial zones of Edo State on having the next governor, who will assume office on 11th November 2024 to be of Esan extraction. This, it contends, is to ensure justice, equity and fairness among the near homogeneous people in the State.
Egbadon, who led the EOI Cosultative Committee, recalled that since the creation of the state, which is founded on a tripod, (Edo South, Edo North and Edo Central districts), in 1991, the Central zone has not produced the governor, except for the short period that Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor was governor for about 18 months.
“Chief Odigie Oyegun from Edo South was the first governor after the state was created in 1991. Governor Lucky Igbinedion from Edo South did eight years. After him, Governor Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North was also on the saddle for eight years. Governor Godwin Obaseki also from Edo South will be rounding off his eight-year tenure by November 2024. To ensure political inclusion, it is only fair that Edo Central be allowed to take a shot at the governorship seat in 2024″, argued Egbadon, who was pioneer Speaker of the state House of Assembly at its creation in 1991.
The group, which began the series of consultative meeting last Friday with a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, was later received by the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, as well as by a former political adviser to Oshiomhole, Hon. Charles Idahosa. The delegation also met with former Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekenmwen, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2020 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu. The team also had talks with some of the leaders of the Labour Party and APC.
The EOI leadership said it would continue the consultative engagement with prominent political and influential leaders in Edo South and Edo North with a view to encouraging them to support Esan candidates in their respective parties.
While noting that there are many aspirants from Edo Central angling to contest the governorship election on the platform of the various parties, EOI president said that a criteria committee, headed by Constitutional law scholar, Prof. Mike Ikhariale would prune down the aspirants to a manageable number.
“While we seek to present the best candidates, only aspirants with gravitas and have support base in the northern and southern senatorial zones, will be supported. They must also be persons who demonstrate very high commitment to the overall development of the nooks and crannies of Edo State”, the group insists.
Other members of the EOI delegation included its Vice President, Engr. George Okoyo; Secretary, Dr. Celey Okogun; Treasurer, Engr. Henry Ikheloa; Iyare; and the Vice President, Association of Esan Professionals, Engr. Obehi Okosun.
The consultative team, under the aegis of the EOI, also consists of former Special Adviser to Obaseki on Post Primary Education, Dr. Rosaline Etiti Okosun; renowned academics, Prof. Friday Okonofua; Prof. Oyaziwo Aluede; and Prof. Austine Aghemelo.
Others included Mr. John Okoh, Hon. Eugene Iyoha, Mr. Christopher Atako, Hon. Mike Enaboifo, Barrister Tony Enaboifo, Sir Martin Ibhazekhioria and Mr Alex Orukpe. The team also had Mr. Prosper Iyere, Mr. Peter Tahir Akhimien, Ms. Lawrenta Okojie, Mr. Batholomew Okoudu and Hon. Joshua Akhabue.
