By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The dominance of Iruekpen Community in Esan West local government area in the politics of Edo Central is on the radar ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Attention had to be directed at this obvious anomaly following increasing complaints by some political interests within Edo State of marginalization.
This most loud in Edo North where the people of Owan and Akoko Edo have been at the receiving end in the hands of Etsako West that has for a long time positioned itself to grabbing all the political positions meant for Edo North.
But attention seems to shift from the political marginalization that has been perpetrated in Edo Central since 1999 when democratic governance was restored in the country after many years of military dictatorship.
In Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Iruekpen Community in Esan West local government area has occupied 90% of the National Assembly positions since 1999. Can this case be described as political scheming or a deliberate plot to deny other communities, their fair share in the distribution of political positions in the area, especially the National Assembly seats. Or it has become a birth right for Iruekpen Community to claim the National Assembly seat especially that of the member representing them at the House of Representatives.
Looking at the political history of Edo Central, the first Senator that came on board was Senator Osarheimen Osunbor, who hails from Iruekpen Community. He spent eight years in the Senate chamber as he served between 1999 and 2007. Thereafter he became the governor of Edo State and equally spent eighteen months in office before he was removed from office by the Tribunal in 2008 which paved the way for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to assume the governance of Edo State.
Also, Hon. Joe Edionwele who earlier served as a local government chairman in Esan West local government Council in 1999 to 2003 later became a member of the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2023 on the platform of the People’s Democratic party, PDP came from Iruekpen Community.
Within this period, Engr. Monday Abulu an indigene of Iruekpen Community equally served as Esan West local government chairman between 2004 and 2007.
Do not forget that the House of Representatives member is covering Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben local government areas in Edo Central Senatorial District.
In 2015 the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, had a strong candidate for Edo State House of Assembly from Ward three, in the person of Arch. Clifford Inegbedion from Egoro Ikhideu, while Hon. Marcus Onobun was the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate from Ward 7, Iruekpen.
But in order to continue with what may be described as a plot or Iruekpen Community political agenda, Hon. Joe Edionwele who was a sitting House of Representatives member on the platform of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, allegedly decided to engage in open anti-party activities by working against his Party, PDP in that election in order to achieve their hidden agenda by working for the victory of APC candidate, Hon. Marcus Onobun from Iruekpen Community who eventually won that election and became the member representing Esan West Constituency, Edo State House of Assembly.
This attitude should not be taken as political smartness. It is simply deceitful and it is not good for the polity and should be corrected.
Thereafter, Hon. Marcus Onobun defected with former Governor Godwin Obaseki to the PDP and got the ticket to contest for the House of Representatives election on the platform of the party in 2023.
Today, two aspirants from the same Iruekpen Community, namely Sir Lucky Eseigbe and Hon. Marcus Onobun are already warming up for the same House of Representatives position to represent Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency on the platform of APC along side other aspirants.
Even though as they always say in political arena, everyone has the right to contest any election, but morally speaking, would any one say it is proper to continue to have one particular community to continue to hold on to the position of leadership while other communities continue to clap hands for them to remain there?
Can we say it is as a result of political manipulation or some leaders of those political parties involved who are from other communities in the zone are cashing out with this ugly situation that has caused the marginalization of other communities, especially those in Igueben Local Government Area that are yet to produce a house of Representatives member since 1999.
Meanwhile, the author of this piece wouldn’t conclude this report without the inputs of some stakeholders in the Senatorial zone.
Mr. Aigberemonle Otoigiade said he was pained with the present political arrangements in Esan West. He added that he would vehemently blame those who may have been involved in this unholy political manipulation that tends to favour a particular community at the detriment of others that have been contributing immensely to the political development of the zone.
He however opined that despite the fact that Iruekpen Community had produced governor, Senator, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members, the development in the community is yet to reflect that reality.
He opined that their performance have not helped to develop the community such that could provoke the envy of their neighbors having failed to bring the needed dividends of democracy to their people.
He further said that one would have expected Iruekpen Community would have been turned into a mini city in Edo State, considering the array of former and present political office holders it had produced, adding that the reverse has been the case.
Aigberemonle said that since the advent of representative governance, politicians see it as an avenue to help themselves, and society. “So, we are not surprised at the antics of Iruekpen Community in this regard. The snag therefore is the failure to utilize the opportunities offered to develop the area which had not seen much of government presence as basic amenities are still lacking.
On his part Mr Oriataman Ejodamen from Ward three in Esan West Local Government Area, said it was terrible having this kind of situation in a local government that have ten wards and one particular ward is dominating the politics of the entire local government without any justifiable reason.
Continuing, he said that apart from the constitutional Councillorship position, ward three would have been left with nothing. He frowned at the ugly development and said it must stop. He canvassed for political inclusiveness in order to bring unity of purpose amongst the people in the zone.
Oriataman equally blamed the leaders and stakeholders in other communities who are being marginalized while looking the other way for personal benefits.
He was of the opinion that if such community being favoured with political positions and feel that other communities do not also deserve such positions, they should stop coming to those communities to canvass for votes.
“Is it that other communities do not have qualified or capable persons to occupy those positions? I don’t think so, because our children are well educated. I think enough is enough of this marginalization”.
It is only Esan Central that has had a share of the National Assembly positions with Hon. Gabriel Oiboh, 1999 to 2007, (8 years) and Patrick Ikhariale, 2007 to 2015 (8 years) while Igueben local government is left out in the scheme of things. However, let it also be a wake up call for Igueben Constituency to start fighting for their right by demanding for a slot in the National Assembly positions and stop working for others in this regard.
In conclusion, it must be stated that gone are the days when we allow abnormalities thrive in our communities. Let us look at this issue critically because if the community benefiting now was on the other side, I guess they would have since cried out for justice due to impatience. I think this anomaly should be corrected quickly without further delay so that the excluded communities can feel a sense of belonging.
Because it was based on fairness that the present Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo who hails from Udomi Community in Esan Central was considered to be Governor of Edo State. It was also based on fairness that Prof. Osarheimen Osunbor was governor during his time. So, based on fairness let Igueben Constituency equally produce the next House of Representatives member having not benefited from such position since 1999.
It’s advised that instead of trying to criticize or crucify the author of this write up such people should direct their energy on doing the right thing that will be beneficial to the people, such that will engender unity and collaboration in the zone for more gains. A word is enough for the wise.