Edo guber: Support Esan to produce next governor, community leaders beg Benin monarch

•Group rallies Ogiemwonyi, Ogie, Emokpae, Edebiri to succeed Obaseki
A DELEGATION of Esan traditional rulers and leaders of Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), a socio-cultural non-partisan pan Esan group, at the weekend, appealed to the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to help ensure that a governor of Esan extraction succeeds Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose term would expire on November 11, 2024.

Speaking on behalf of a delegation, led by the Onojie of Uromi, Anselm Edenojie II, the President, EOI, Mathew Egbadon, thanked the monarch for the warm reception accorded them, felicitating with him over his recent appointment as Chancellor of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

According to Egbadon, who’s a pioneer Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, the quest for a governor of Esan extraction is hinged on justice, equity and fairness, arguing that since the advent of Edo State in 1991, an Esan son, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, was governor for only 18 months.

He said: “We would like to seize this opportunity to formally inform Your Majesty of the desire of Esan people to produce the next governor of Edo State at the end of Obaseki’s administration in 2024.

“We know this is a matter primarily within the purview of politicians and political parties. We have started engaging them across the political divide in the state on the need for Esan to produce the next governor. This will be in the interest of equity, fairness and justice, which Edo people are known for.

“To dispel deliberate misinformation being bandied by some mischievous people, we want to state that there is no ethnic sectarianism to this yearning.”

Responding, the Benin monarch promised to look into the issue. Meanwhile, a group, Benin Development Union (BeDU), at the weekend, pushed for notable personalities in Benin with proven track record, competence and pedigree to support the state to enthrone good governance by contesting the coming governorship election.

BeDU, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Orumwense Aiyudubie, opted for prominent Benin sons, including, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osarodion Ogie, Erhabor Emokpae, and Dr. Solomon Edebiri.