By Henry Umoru
LEADERS of thought from Edo North Senatorial District have taken a swipe at the Benin National Congress, BNC for attacking the Minister of the Niger Delta, Honourable Abubakar Momoh, warning that it totaling got the point wrong by alleging that the Edo South Senatorial district is being sidelined or discriminated against in terms of political appointment and projects allocation in favor of Edo North.
According to the BNC, the alleged marginalization is against the backdrop that Engr. Abubakar Momoh and the state leader of the All Progressive party APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole are both from the same ethnic group in Edo North, saying that the petition and complaint by the Benin National Congress is uncalled for.
The Leaders of thought in a statement made available to Vanguard on Thursday said that accusing the Minister of Niger Delta and Senator Adams Oshiomhole of playing ethnic card is akin to giving a dog bad name in order to hang it, adding that with available records, Edo South had enjoyed very juicy positions for Edo State and the senatorial district is still enjoying such positions than Edo North.
In the statement signed by former Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Honourable Godswill Eshieshi; Alhaji Musa Sule and former Organising Secretary ( South South ) All Progressives Congress, APC, they said that failure cannot be rewarded and that Benin should not in the present dispensation, expect to get the same or more political appointments like the Edo North as it lost the last Senatorial and Presidential elections to the Labour Party, LP.
The Edo North Stakeholders said, “The Benin National Congress, BNC, missed the point by alluding to or insinuating that the Edo south senatorial district is being sidelined or discriminated against in terms of political appointment and projects allocation in favor of Edo North because the Honorable minister of Niger Delta Engr. Abubakar Momoh and the state leader of the All Progressive party APC Distinguished Senator Adams Oshiomhole are both from the same ethnic group in Edo North.
“Ordinarily, one would have turned a blind eye but, for the respect for the Royal father and the good people of Edo south, it’s pertinent to set the records straight.
“On the national scene, the Benin National Congress, BNC, need not be reminded that political appointments are based on the performance or patronage of the political party in each region. We are aware of the shenanigan and the anti-party activities that played out in the last general elections which resulted to the senatorial district losing the senatorial seat the presidential election to another political party in the state. It’s never heard of that failure is rewarded. Therefore, expecting to get the same or more political appointments like the Edo North which does not even exist will amount to reaping where one does not sow. In the wake of this accusing the Honorable minister Alhaji Abubakar Momoh and the Distinguished Senator Adams Oshiomhole of playing ethnic card is akin to giving a dog bad name in order to hang it.
“A quick look at some of the projects executed by the immediate past Minister of Health and positions occupied by the Edo south senatorial district will put paid to the insinuation of marginalisation.
“The present governor of Edo state is from Edo south and all his developmental projects are concentrated in Edo south. Former minister of Health Dr. Osagie. E. Ehanire, equipped University of Benin Teaching Hospital with modern facilities in Edo south. He also established a modern Orthopedic Hospital in Edo south.
“The Benin/Abraka road which is being constructed in conjunction with the state government was seen almost abandoned during his familiarization tour of Edo State and he has shown serious commitment towards completion of the road through his pronouncements and actions.
“On the Appointments:EDSOPADEC Board Chairman, Pastor Kennedy Osifo is from Edo South and most of the Commissioners are all from Edo South. Also, 97% of the projects are sited in Edo South. The immediate past Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere is from Edo South. Edo state representative in the current NDDC Board, Hon. Patrick Aisowieren is from Edo South. Edo State representative in Federal Civil Service Commission Hon. Henry Idahagbon is from Edo south. • Edo state representative in Federal Character Commission Prof.Festus Imuetinyan is from Edo South.
“Mr Enorense Amadasu, Executive Commissioner (Development and production) Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission is also from Edo South.
“Every part of Edo state is also a part of Niger Delta region but Edo North especially, Etsako Central, Okpella and Ibie of Etsako East axis haven’t seen NNDC and the ministry of Niger Delta developmental projects since the creations of the Commission and the ministry.
“The Minister is for all Niger Delta people, the area and should be encouraged to carry all along to give every part the sense of belonging.
“The Minister understand that, Edo state is the most homogeneous state and will always judiciously dispense what is best for the people of Edo, and the entire Niger Delta.
“Therefore, this petition and complaint by the Benin National Congress is uncalled for.
“On this note, we call on all Edolites to join hands on deck with the Honorable minister, Alh. Abubakar Momoh, Distinguished Senator, Adams Oshiomhole and the state leader of our party, to move the state in particular and the Niger Delta region in general forward.
“Since the Honorable Minister of Niger Delta assumed office, no appointment has been made in the ministry. The Honorable Minister toured the region with a view of consulting with the stakeholders of the region, inspection of projects and also to have a first hand knowledge of abandoned, ongoing and completed projects.
“The tour of the region has availed the Honorable minister the opportunity to interact with the critical stakeholders of the region and also carry out the needs assessment of the region which has enabled him present his budget to the National Assembly.”
Source: Vanguard