2024: Esan Traditional Rulers Seek Oba Of Benin’s Support

 

By Lucky Isibor

Ahead of the upcoming Edo State governorship election in 2024, Traditional Rulers from Edo Central Senatorial District, led by the Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie and other Esan prominent thought leaders have visited the Oba of Benin, His Majesty Oba Ewuare II, to solicit for his support and blessing.

In their address to the Oba during the visit by Hon. Matthew Egbadon, the traditional rulers said that they were seeking his support for the zoning of the 2024 governorship election to Edo Central, while emphasising that it would be a further demonstration of the commitment to equity, justice, and fairness to all in Edo State.

According to them, "We would like to seize this opportunity to formally apprise Your Majesty, of the yearning and desire of Esan people to produce the next Governor of Edo State, at the end of the tenure of the present administration in 2024. 

"We know that this is a matter primarily within the remit of politicians and political parties to decide on. We have started engaging the various political leaders across the political divide in the state, on the need to have a Governor of Esan extraction at Osadebey Avenue, come 2024. This will be in the interest of equity, fairness and justice which Edo people are known for.

"To dispel the deliberate misinformation being bandied by some mischievous people, we need to state clearly and unequivocally, that there is no ethnic insularity to this yearning. Edo people are one - Edo Okpa Makhin. We believe that all parts of Edo State have bountiful talents and sound minds, that can work in unison for the greater good and development of Edo State for the benefit of all. Esan people have never nursed any divisive, narrow minded or supremacist agenda, and shall eternally remain in friendship and brotherhood love with all other Edo people across the State. 

"Since the creation of our State in 1991, the statistics shows that we have only had an Edo Governor of Esan extraction for a period of about 18 months, in the person of Prof Oserheimen Osunbor. Cumulatively, Our kith and kin in Edo South would have occupied the office for about 17 years by the end of the tenure of the present administration in 2024. While our kith and kin in Edo North have effectively occupied the seat for 8 years already. 

"We are happy to report to Your Royal Majesty, that a considerable number of the political leaders and influentials we have consulted in the State, have supported our yearning and desire for an Edo Governor of Esan extraction, come 2024. We will continue to engage a wide variety of political and other opinion moulders, in our State to buy into and support this yearning in the interest of the unity of the Edo people. 

"Though you are not a politician, we solicit Your Royal Majesty’s support and blessing for this yearning and desire of Esan people. We give full assurance that we shall encourage and support our best Esan sons and daughters, if necessary, to contest the elections for the office of the Governor on the platforms of the various major political parties, come 2024. 

Responding, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11 thanked the traditional rulers for their visit and their request for his support, saying he would consult with stakeholders and revert adequately.

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, leader of the delegation and Onojie of Uromi, Zaiki Anselm Edenojie 11 said he's satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.

"Am satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, he  gave us very good answer, he said he wants to make consultations, which is okay. We believe in fairness, we believe in equity, we believe in justice.  So what we have asked for not too much, it's something that can be achieved and by the grace of God and our ancestors we will achieve it".

Also speaking, a member of the delegation and Ojomo of Ekpoma, Chief Ezekiel Ainabe said the response of Oba Ewuare 11 is encouraging.

According to him Benin, "It's s very encouraging, he is our father, he is aware of all that we said, Edo North have had their turn, edo south have had their turn, edo Central has been there for just 18 months,  he promised to consult with his people and get back to us.

The visit of Esan traditional rulers to the Oba of Benin is a significant milestone in the quest of Edo Central to produce the next Governor of Edo State in 2024.