By Osehobo Ofure
To redress the political imbalance in Edo state, currently dominated by political office holders from South and North zones, youths from Edo Central have called on the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto to resign from office.
Former Catholic Archbishop of the Lagos Metropolitan See, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih and Founder of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, among others, hail from Edo Central.
The youths under the aegis of Coalition of Esan Youth Leaders say Adjoto, a lawmaker from Edo North’s resignation will pave way for the election of a lawmaker from Edo Central to assume the office.
A statement, signed by the coalition’s leaders, such as Kingsley Ohens, for Esan Youth Movement, Saint Moses Eromonsele for Oneghe Sele Foundation and Ekeoba Odion for Esan United Association and 5 others, said that Edo Central has been marginalized by the present political equation in the state.
The statement pointed out that the governor of the state is from Edo South, the deputy from Edo North with the Speaker also from Edo North. This arrangement, it stressed, negates power balance. The equation, the group noted, favors Edo North and South, leaving out Edo Central completely. “This development is unacceptable to us as it is capable of igniting crises,” the statement warned.
It added that “Edo Central or Esan people, having contributed and still contributing tremendously to the socio-economic and political development of the state and the country, cannot be treated like a conquered people”.
The coalition said that there would be huge political costs to pay for all parties seeking power in the state if the present scenario is not reversed in the interest of justice and equity.
