By Lucky Isibor
Against the backdrop of perceived marginalisation of Edo Central Senatorial District in representation in the “Transition Committee” of the incoming administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, an Esan group, “The League of Patriots” has appealed to the Governor-elect to ensure that equity and fair play are brought to bear in the formation of his government after his inauguration on 12 November.
In a statement signed by the Converner of the group, Hon. Dr. Jacob Igberase, Chief Osemekhian Aisabokhale and Hon Mrs. Mercy Ojie urged the Governor-elect to ensure that the marginalisation of any group or Senatorial District has no place in his government, while urging him to adhere to already established conventions of appointing the Secretary to Government and Chief of Staff from the same Senatorial District with the Governor.
According to the statement, titled “The Governor From Edo Central – The Esan Agenda, Why The Incoming Edo State Government Must Address The Marginalisation of Edo Central” and made available to Newscurve24 stated that: “It will be recalled that the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in line with best practice constituted a 20 man Transition Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe.
“The Committee is expected to interface with the Transition Committee of the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo with a view to having a smooth transition.
“However, the nominees from the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo further confirmed the worries and fears by some concerned individuals and party faithful that the Governor-elect though from Esan land may not be fully abreast with the true spirit of the “Edo Agenda” of an Edo Governor of Edo Central extraction, stop the marginalisation of Esan people in the state while giving even development to the three Senatorial Districts. This they say is being manifested in the constitution of the Transition Committee of the APC.
“Be that as it may, the current list as released by the APC has again put the Governor-elect on the spot light. There is now this fear that the people from the region, Edo Central are not adequately considered and this may continue if not checked. Additionally, most of the persons on this list are people who to many Edo Central people have over the years proven not to be committed to the course of an Edo Agenda of Edo Governor of Edo Central extraction. Their actions during the electioneering periods clearly show that they want to reap where they did not sow. Above all, it has earlier been alleged that Senator Monday’s tenure would be swallowed up by people who do not mean well for Edo State and the Edo Central Senatorial District in particular.
“There are strong rumour going around, which has become rife, of plans to appoint the Secretary to the State Government (who is on the Transition Committee list) from another Senatorial District, other than that of the Governor, after his inauguration on 12 November. If this happens, it would have been the first time in the history of the old Midwest, to Bendel State and Edo State that a Secretary to the State Government would be foisted on the Governor and from outside the Governor’s Senatorial District.
“We are aware that there are also moves to arm twist the Governor-elect to appoint their ally and loyalist as Chief of Staff to the Governor, an office that’s ordinarily the Private Secretary to the Governor.
“Should these schemes come to fruition by the hawks, it would not only be against the grain, but also the successful erection of structures to hijack the government from the Governor.
“We are however not ignorant of the fact that most of them gave huge funds to finance the electioneering and that it would be left for those who funded the campaigns to nominate who ever for any position.
“We urge the Governor-elect to be mindful of the overall interest of the generality of Edo people while trying to patronise them and their allies.
While urging the Governor-elect to ensure every Senatorial District is given a sense of belonging in the scheme of governance in the state, the group appeald to him to engage capable hands in his government.
“We appeal to the Governor-elect as he settles down to form his government to seek the best hands in all the Senatorial Districts, ensure that no zone is sidelined and address the years of brazen and undisguised marginalisation of Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State.
“We wish the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo a graceful inauguration and a successful tenure in office”.