“Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need”- Rick Riordan
As a political commentator and concerned democrat, l am indeed constrained to make this personal appeal public, concerning the upcoming primary election into the National Assembly, especially as it relates to the old Okpebho Federal Constituency (now Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben Federal Constituency), under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP).
It is unarguable that the contest for the old Okpebho Federal Constituency is normally subjected to horse trading, intrigues and heavy manipulations by interested political heavyweights in that locality.
Going down memory lane, one discovered that Bendel State as it was, gave birth to the old Okpebho and Agbazilo, now Edo Central, while Okpebho has metamorphosed into what we know as Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben Federal Constituency.
The above mentioned three Local Government Areas, could best be described as a political haven, thanks to the political dexterity of the then National Leader of the People’s Democratic Party, late High Chief Tony Anenih, who had the ears of his followers, who always aligned with his positive decisions that made all and sundry to speak in one mighty voice.
Retrospectively, since the creation of the then Bendel State, now Edo State, ‘Third term’ is an aberration in Edo Central. Those who attempted to go beyond ‘Second term’, were always rebuked to save their breath and money, by the then legendary National Leader.
Therefore, this precedent of ‘Second term’ must be upheld in the continuous interest of the unity and the laid down positive tradition of Edo Central.
The only unfortunate and regrettable scenario that worked against Igueben Local Government then, was the issue of zoning of candidates, which the power brokers hid under. This time around, with a sitting Governor of a ruling party like the People’s Democratic Party, the issue of minorities should not arise.
It is sad to note that this syndrome has put only this Igueben Local Government in a political purdah, since the creation of Midwest to Bendel State, now Edo State, as it has not had the benefit of a shot at the National Assembly.
The argument of numerical strength is not tenable in a State where the party hosts a sitting Governor. This position must be viewed critically now that the present crop of Representatives from the Esan Central, Esan West and lgueben Federal Constituency, are on the verge of completing their two terms.
Ironically, since the advent of the Second Republic in 1979, even after the return to democracy in 1999, these Local Governments in Esan West and Central have produced three Senators and five House of Representatives members respectively, while Igueben Local Government has been sidelined.
In the name of equity and brotherhood, it is now expedient for the entire Edo Central to pay an overdue political reparation to Igueben Local Government.
It is on record that aspirants from this same disadvantaged Igueben Local Government Area had been asked to step down in the past on several occasions, which they humbly obliged, by working assiduously for candidates from Esan West and Central Local Government Areas.
This is to challenge the critical political stakeholders in Igueben Local Government Area, to work with one goal of ensuring that the most competent, cerebral, experienced and result oriented individual is carefully and painstakingly sorted out, and presented to the whole Esan Central, West and lgueben Federal Constituency, when the time comes for the upcoming 2023 National Assembly party primaries.
Nothing must be allowed to jeopardise the chances of Igueben Local Government Area this time around. This decades old political jinx that has held National Assembly aspirants from this locality down must be shattered to pieces.
What will really profit a group of parochial political heavyweights in Igueben Local Government Area, not to work tooth and nail for the emergence of a consensus National Assembly’s candidate for the PDP, come 2023; not even unnecessary acrimony, disunity, backbiting must be permitted to stand as a roadblock, in this all important assignment?
If previously, candidates that aspired to go to the National Assembly from Igueben Local Government, compromised and worked for the emergence of other individuals from other local governments in this particular Federal constituency, this is the time for ‘payback’, for others in Esan Central and West, to at least reciprocate by supporting wholeheartedly, a candidate from Igueben?
This development affords the dynamic Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki to write his name in gold letters, by making right decades old political denial that have been hanging maliciously on the heads and shoulders of Igueben people.
Governor Obaseki as the leader of the People’s Democratic Party in Edo State, should add his voice and weight to the sincere and honest yearnings of the people of Igueben Local Government Area.
Let it be known that Governor Godwin Obaseki, ultimately provides the magic wand for those aspirants from Igueben who are eyeing the National Assembly in Nigeria!
Now that the People’s Democratic Party is no longer in opposition in Edo State, with a sitting Governor in Godwin Obaseki, this is the perfect time for equity to come to play unconditionally.
Diagi, a political strategist, lives in Benin City.
