In the preceding week, a legal practitioner and human rights activist based in Benin, Paul Ohonbamu, made appearances on several political talk shows, including Television Continental (TVC), Africa Independent Television (AIT), and Channels Television.
He discussed the importance of zoning the Edo 2024 governorship candidacy to Edo Central Senatorial District.
Ohonbamu, who is commonly known as “Equity” due to his consistent calls for fairness and justice, reiterated his argument for zoning the governorship to Edo Central, emphasizing the principle of equity.
One of his key points was the undeniable fact that, by the end of the current administration in November 2024, Edo South Senatorial District would have governed the state for sixteen years, while Edo North had its share for eight years.
In contrast, Edo Central had occupied the position for a mere eighteen months, which was legally disputed and expunged from the records by the courts.
In light of this scenario, Ohonbamu contended that it would be fair, just, and equitable for all political parties, including his own, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to consider Edo Central when selecting candidates for the 2024 gubernatorial election.
However, this call for equity by Paul Ohonbamu faced opposition from some political figures in the state who appeared to be profiting from certain politicians and their aspirations in the 2024 governorship election.
Notably, a human rights activist named Tony Erah criticized Ohonbamu’s plea for equity in the selection of the Edo State Governor in an article titled “Paul Ohonbamu And His Skewed Quixotic Narrative,” which was published on October 29 in some online news media.
Erah’s critique not only seemed to pit Edo Central Senatorial District against their counterparts from Edo South and Edo North but also portrayed him as someone working against the interests of the Esan people in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Tony Erah also attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to create discord between Ohonbamu, his party, the APC, and Edo South Senatorial District. Erah’s criticism questioned Ohonbamu’s dedication to the APC and undermined the former Deputy Speaker’s contributions to the development of Edo South Senatorial District.
To clarify, Tony Erah and his backers should be reminded of how all political parties selected their gubernatorial candidates from Edo South in 1999 at the beginning of the current democratic era.
The decision was reached collectively by various political leaders, including Chief Tony Anenih, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, and Chief Ini Umoru, who all recognized the need for an Edo South Governor to complete the constitutionally allowed eight-year tenure since the first elected Governor’s term was only twenty months. Since then, Edo North Senatorial District has had its turn, with Adams Oshiomhole serving an eight-year term.
A similar rotational principle is also in place in Delta State, contributing to peace and harmony.
It has completed a full cycle in Delta State and is currently back to Delta Central, the most populous Senatorial District, which was first in line to have a Governor.
In his article, Tony Erah displayed a strong aversion towards the Esan people, attempting to divide the Agbazilo people from Okpebholo.
He went even further by trying to create divisions among governorship aspirants from Esanland, particularly targeting Senator Monday Okpebholo Akpakomiza.
Esan people should question Tony Erah about his preferred choice if he opposes Senator Okpebholo as Governor.
Erah and his supporters should understand that Esan people are not concerned about the specific location from which a Governor of Esan extraction arises.
They are equally open to the Governor being chosen from the current members of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate, or among the Local Government chairpersons.
It is advisable for Tony Erah’s backers to reconsider their position, as the people of Edo South and Edo North remain resolute in preserving the rotational principle for the Governorship of Edo State and are interested in seeing an Esan candidate emerge as Governor in 2024. Conducting an impartial, independent opinion poll could provide more insights into this matter.