A group, operating under the auspices of Akoko-Edo/Owan Credible Alliance For Better Representation, has declared support for the zoning of the Edo State governorship ticket to Edo Central Senatorial District by all the political parties in the state in the interest of equity, fairness and social justice.
The body expressed the belief that zoning the governorship to Edo Central come 2024 would promote peace, unity and cohesion amongst the Bini, the Esan and the Afemai people.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital, on Thursday, the spokesman of the group, Rolland Igbadun, disagreed with the decision of a Benin group led by two former governors, Chief Odigie Oyegun and Lucky Igbinedion, to leave the governorship ticket open to all contestants, adding that the duo ought to be political role models to the younger generation and play politics of inclusion instead of dominance.
The group vowed to mobilise Edo North voters against any political party that would field Edo South candidates.
Igbadun also used the medium to invite the sons and daughters of Akoko-Edo and Owan to a conference coming up at Auchi at the end of the month in
“In the interest of equity, fairness and social justice, Edo Central should have the ticket of all political parties. They have been abandoned for too long. Such practice won’t make room for development. Chief Oyegun and Igbinedion should serve as role models to the younger generation instead of preaching politics of dominance.
“The peace and security we enjoy in the state should not be taken for granted. Edo people are not pushovers. They must not be allowed to succeed with their intentions of allowing power to remain in Edo South. Edo is for all. So, no one section or tribe should be allowed to hold on to power forever. It will only cause more crisis for the state. That is what we don’t want. All parties must zone their tickets to Edo Central.”
Declaring that the Edo South should have tickets after the current would have completed eight, the statement added, “will certainly instigate bad blood amongst Edo citizens.
“This move will not sit well with Edo North voters because this might cause voters to rethink their loyalty and support to the party whether PDP or APC. Let the right thing be done so that everyone will be seen being carried along,” Igbadun noted.
The Edo State governorship election is slated for next year 2024.
. TheWitness
