Ahead 2024, Edo South: a district in dire need of quality, purposeful, dependable and identifiable leadership

By Eseosa Ewere | Benin City 

Whereas Edo South plays an inevitable role in the politics of Edo State, since the advent of the current democracy in 1999, her role in stabilizing and balancing Edo's political landscape continue to occupy the frontburner at various fora.

Unarguably, Edo South, (the Benin-speaking people of Edo State) represents a significant value in Edo politics, not much has however, been recorded by way of quality leadership to bring about significant development to the region; her influence seems to revolve within a small Edo circle, lacking the political wherewithal and muscle to catapult herself to the national stage. 

Edo South Senatorial District in Edo State covers seven local governments which include Oredo, Ovia South West, Egor, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwode local government areas, looking at these areas clinically and objectively, one could see significant shortcomings in the life of their infrastructure and people; but for the Obaseki-led administration's determination to solidify the developmental fortunes of Edo, these areas would have been cap in hand, begging for glory; despite our Governor's unrelenting efforts, much is left to be done. 

But then, Obaseki's 8-year tenure elapses in another sixteen (16) months, November 12, precisely, a significantly short time to nurture a political leader for the Benins; before the emergence of Obaseki, the Benin nation could not identify a major political rallying point, while the Governor bows out November next year, having reinforced the foundations of socio-infrastructural development for successive administrations to thrive, the Benin nation still cannot confidently identify that one political force to save the land.

The Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, must be commended for his interventions lately; we recall with excitement, his passionate appeal to former President Mohammadu Buhari to gift Edo two Ministers, for which Oshiomhole quickly leveraged on to bring in Clem Agba, who eventually served as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

However, our esteemed royal father has the traditional institution to protect, defend and preserve, which is his immediate constituency; he may not have the luxury of time to manage the traditional and political institutions simultaneously, and considering the murky waters that beclouds our politics, it is impossible to find a Benin man of good conscience tolerate anyone who may want to, in the guise of playing politics, ridicule the Benin Monarch, the Almighty God and our ancestors forbid. 

Whereas Edo South (the Benins) constitutes the vast majority in Edo State, recording huge turn out in major exercises, the region has no material evidence of what she has used her majority status to achieve, be it politically, economically, socially or otherwise; there has not been any significant federal or international presence in the area; this may be due, partly to the lack of quality and identifiable leadership in the district.

A situation were no Benin man has no direct interface with the Presidency cannot be said to be good for our politics; this singular situation stalls the execution of major projects in our area; one of the reasons we are still battling with the Benin-Sapele, Benin-Ekpoma-Abuja roads and other federal initiatives that has not seen the light of day; over the years, Edo's finances continue to hit all-time low, our dear Gov. Godwin Obaseki must be commended for his financial prudence, putting Edo's monies where it belongs.

The 2024 governorship election, an important exercise to bring in a new government; the Benins must adopt the election and its pre-activities as a tool to reunite herself, re-examine her relevance and reinstitutionalize her political strategies; for the Benins to be counted amongst, she must see the 2024 gubernatorial election as a viable vehicle and be ready to drive it. 

The major political dramatis personas or actors of Benin extraction must look beyond their personal pursuits, rally the Benins to forge a common path ahead 2024; Benin elements like Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Henry Okhuarobo, others, currently pursuing election cases in Court must be given profound support and backing to reclaim their mandates, as their presence in the National Assembly marks a significant watershed for the Benin nation and her politics.

While the 2024 guber poll continue to gather cross-cultural reactions, it is our firm belief that politicians of Benin extraction interested to succeed Godwin Obaseki are doing their underground works as that is an important aspect in elections; while that is ongoing, they must also maintain regular interface with pro-Benin elements and people of other extractions who possibly share in their ideas and admire their political stewardship irrespective of Party lines.

The Benin ethnic nationality will not take the back seat in this arrangement, she holds a higher stake in the political discourse of Edo, she believes in the spirit of oneness, she is accommodating, loving, warmth, progressive and knows how to protect and defend her own; with the little she has, she harnesses to make even greater, for a period of eons, she has sacrificed to balance and stabilize the political efficacy of Edo State, that she is not willing to stop in this generation; she will continue to speak vibrantly and participate effectively to protect Edo's political sanctity and considering the cultural, economic and political significance of the 2024 gubernatorial election, the Benins will mount the frontline to vote and be voted for. 

Ahead 2024, Edo South (the Benins) must, with all sense of admission, humility and purposefulness, consider herself a district in dire need of quality, purposeful, dependable and identifiable political leadership and the earlier the gatekeepers rise to this responsibility, the better; 2024, n'Edo gha ma, n'Uselu gha mose.

Oba gha t'kpere, ise.

Eseosa Ewere is a former Press Secretary in Ikpoba-Okha; he contributed this piece from Upper Sakponba