The agitation for the creation of Esan State is not a whimsical desire but a demand firmly rooted in historical significance, political expediency, and the undeniable need for equitable statehood in Nigeria’s federative structure. The Esan people, one of Nigeria’s most prominent ethnic nationalities, have for decades contributed immeasurably to the political, economic, and intellectual advancement of the country. Yet, they remain confined within the broader classification of Edo Central Senatorial District, a term that belies their distinct identity, cultural heritage, and governance structure. While other ethnic groups with comparable or even lesser territorial expanse have long achieved statehood, Esan remains inexplicably relegated to the margins, awaiting justice that has been long delayed.
Esanland, located on a plateau region approximately 136 meters above sea level, is a mosaic of about 35 autonomous kingdoms, each ruled by a monarch known as the Onojie. These independent but interconnected entities mirror the decentralized but cohesive political arrangements of Ancient Greece’s city-states, where distinct polities thrived under a shared cultural and linguistic umbrella. The Esan people have demonstrated an enduring legacy of self-governance, resilience, and community-driven development, all of which strengthen the argument for their right to an independent state within the Nigerian federation. Their socio-political structure and historical autonomy provide a compelling foundation for Esan to stand as a distinct state, free from the suffocating centralization imposed upon them by the broader classification within Edo State.
It is an incontrovertible fact that Esan has produced some of Nigeria’s most revered political figures, scholars, and industrialists. The legendary Chief Anthony Enahoro, a prodigious statesman and nationalist, made history as the first Nigerian to move the motion for Nigeria’s independence. The late Professor Ambrose Alli, a beacon of intellectual and administrative excellence, was the first civilian governor of the old Bendel State, revolutionizing education and governance in ways that still reverberate today. Chief Tony Anenih, a master strategist, and Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, a former Vice President of Nigeria, exemplified the brilliance, discipline, and leadership that define the Esan people. Despite this extraordinary pedigree, Esan continues to be denied the administrative and political sovereignty that would allow it to flourish as a distinct entity.
While smaller states such as Abia (6,320 square kilometers), Ebonyi (less than 3,000 square kilometers), and Ekiti (2,453 square kilometers) have been granted statehood, Esan, with a landmass of approximately 2,814,347 square kilometers, remains shackled to a structure that does not fully serve its people. This glaring disparity begs the question: on what grounds does the Nigerian government justify the continued omission of Esan from the map of existing states? If territorial size, historical continuity, economic viability, and cultural distinction are valid criteria for state creation, then Esan State is more than qualified to exist as an autonomous entity within Nigeria’s geopolitical framework.
The tragic irony of Esan’s plight lies not only in the reluctance of successive governments to heed this call but also in the apparent docility and self-serving disposition of those elected to represent Esan interests at the National Assembly. While representatives from other ethnic nationalities relentlessly push for the creation of states that cater to their people’s aspirations, Esan’s supposed advocates in Abuja appear preoccupied with personal advancement and political horse-trading. Their inertia is both a betrayal and an abdication of the mandate given to them by their constituents. Rather than agitating forcefully for the recognition and establishment of Esan State, they have chosen the path of convenience, trading away their people’s legitimate demands for ephemeral political favors.
History teaches us that no people ever attain self-determination without persistent advocacy and resolute leadership. The neglect exhibited by Esan’s political representatives is a stark contrast to the fervent dedication of past leaders who fought for the inclusion of their regions in Nigeria’s statehood structure. The likes of Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, despite wielding considerable influence during the state creation exercises of the Babangida era, chose magnanimity over parochialism, ensuring that new states were carved out in the South-South region without prioritizing Esan. That sacrifice, though noble at the time, must now be corrected by a renewed and unrelenting pursuit of Esan State.
It is indefensible that despite Esan’s economic potential, human capital, and historical relevance, it remains tethered to a political arrangement that stifles its progress. The region boasts a wealth of agricultural and mineral resources that, if properly harnessed, could transform it into a model of economic sustainability and development. With fertile lands for agriculture, untapped mineral deposits, and a resilient population eager to drive progress, Esan State has the potential to become a thriving economic hub, independent of federal allocations and political subjugation.
The continued subsumption of Esan under Edo State is an anachronism that no longer serves its people’s best interests. This political entanglement has resulted in systemic neglect, developmental stagnation, and the gradual erosion of Esan’s cultural and administrative autonomy. It is a paradox that a people with such an illustrious history of governance and self-sufficiency should remain dependent on a structure that neither prioritizes their aspirations nor safeguards their collective identity.
The call for Esan State is not a mere political wish but an imperative dictated by equity, justice, and the need for balanced representation in Nigeria’s federative arrangement. The creation of Esan State would not only address historical injustices but also contribute to national stability by ensuring that marginalized ethnic nationalities receive their fair share of governance and resources. It would allow Esan people to chart their own developmental course, free from the bureaucratic bottlenecks that currently impede their progress under the Edo State umbrella.
As Nelson Mandela famously declared, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”The creation of Esan State requires perseverance, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment from both the leadership and the people. The distinguished and charismatic General Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), the astute Senator Odion Ugbesia, the veteran nationalist Chief Tom Ikimi, the eminent academic Prof. Julius Okojie, Prof Sunny Obanore, and respected figures such as Dr. Ulikhifoh, Dr. Asuelimen Ighodalo, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Mr. Tony Anenih Jr, Prince Hon. Joseph Okojie, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, Hon. Joe Edionwele, Hon. Sergius Ogun, and many others must now step forward to ensure that Esan’s dream of statehood is realized. Their silence in this crucial moment would be a grave injustice to the people they represent.
The reluctance of the federal government to grant Esan State status must be challenged with relentless advocacy, strategic lobbying, and grassroots mobilization. It is only through consistent pressure that the dream of Esan State can be actualized. The days of waiting for benevolence from political overlords must end; self-determination is never given freely, it is taken.
As the great American statesman Frederick Douglass once said, *”Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”* The time for Esan State is now. The question is not if, but when. And when it does come, history will remember those who fought for it and those who stood in its way. The choice remains in the hands of Esan’s representatives: to be remembered as architects of justice or as accomplices in the continued subjugation of their people.
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray is a Journalist, fellow of the British College of Journalism, Human Resource Management Expert (CIPD), PhD student in International Politics and Conflicts Resolution, Sociopolitical Rights Activist and Publisher of Truth Live News, writes from London, England.