POLITICS : OUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GROSSLY MARGINALISED, SITUATION NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE . . .Esan Group demands equity, justice.

By Mike ALADENIKA. 

Esan people  of Edo Central Senatorial district of Edo State under the aegis of the  newly floated socio-cultural group, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), has strongly decried what they termed "the spate of marginalization of Esan people in federal and state appointments", thus "demanding that Edo State which was founded on a tripod 30 years ago, should be run on the basis of equity, fairness and justice to all its component parts."

The group while addressing its maiden press conference in Benin City to announce its birth, the  President, Rt Hon Mathew Egbadon, said  “We are of the firm view that Edo Central senatorial district has been relegated to the background by successive governments, both at the State and Federal levels, since 2008 when Mr. Adams Oshiomhole became governor of Edo State and is yet to fair better under the Government of Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI) disclosed that “Many major political appointments to key State and Federal positions and establishments have been made by political leaders across the party lines, without taking the interest of Esan people into consideration.

The group wondered why “Under the current political dispensation, only two Senatorial Districts, Edo South, and Edo North, have effectively occupied the 

Governorship, the Deputy Governorship, Ambassadorial and Ministerial positions. Similarly, the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Head of Service, and many other appointees in key Federal and State Government agencies were shared between two, to the detriment of the third Senatorial district (Edo Central) of Edo state.

“While we rejoice with our brothers and sisters of these senatorial Districts for these appointments, we implore all political leaders not to forget Edo Central Senatorial District made up of Esan people.

“It is on record that the only office ceded to the Esan people - the office of the Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly – was until recently, a subject of musical chairs, intense political manipulations, and proxy war by the political leaders of the other two districts.

“As it stands, Edo State political structure is standing essentially, on a bipod, instead of the tripod, which God, and even political expediency, originally designed it to be. Can anyone change the will or plan of God?

Esan Okpa Initiative says, it “is deeply concerned and worried about the marginalization of Esan people in political appointments at both State and Federal levels. We often say “Edo Okpa Maa Khin” meaning Edo people are one.

Our political leaders of the moment must truly reflect this reality in their actions and decisions.

“We state as a matter of fact that the current Edo State government enjoys a large following in Edo Central. We therefore appeal to the Governor of the State, to use his good offices, to ensure that Esan people in his party are not only given important positions in his government, but also encourage and support them to vie for higher political offices in the State.

“In addition, we appeal to the Governor, that deserving Esan sons and daughters should be accorded recognition by appointment into the upper echelons of the public and civil services of the State. 

“We plead for an Edo State that is run on the basis of equity, fairness and justice to all its constituent parts.

We are optimistic that the current imbalance in the political and other strategic appointments in the state will be addressed by His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

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