Edo Guber 2024: Obaseki has given Owan, Akoko-Edo a rallying point, Says Group

From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)

A social cultural group under the aegis of Owan/Akoko-Edo Alliance says the selection of Chief Marvelous Omobayo as the Deputy Governor of Edo and the election of Mr Blessing Agbebaku as speaker of the state's House of Assembly has given the council areas the needed rallying point.

The group noted that Gov. Godwin Obaseki has made it possible for both Owan and Akoko-Edo to be given a sense of belonging as they been marginalised for over 15 years.

The group, who stated this in a statement by its convener, Mr Sunny Ifijen and Secretary, Mr Ogumah Omeiza and made available to newsmen on Monday, said the areas have been denied of political patronage over this seeming lack of rallying point.

He said Owan and Akoko were not only caught out of political equation of Edo North senatorial district these past years, there was also no visible infrastructural development in the areas.

"With this two political leaders coming from Owan and Akoko-Edo axis alone, they can mobilise communities, allocate resources, and create an environment that attracts investment and development.

"The lack of effective political leadership in these areas was a major barrier to community mobilisation and investment attraction.

"With lack of rallying leaders or leader who could engage with the community, attract outside investment, and advocate for development initiatives, Owan and Akoko-Edo struggled to make meaningful progress.

"Aside this, they can help bring about the needed unity amongst the people so they we can always take a common position with matters that affect the development of the areas."

Describing the Deputy Governor as a trail blazer whose sojourn in politics had build bridges of trust from the grassroot to the state level, the group said:

"He is a frantic mobilizer of the people for common cause, breaking political barriers, eschewing parochial bitterness in his politicking, setting standards of human capital development and adorning seamless philanthropic gestures across Edo-North senatorial district."

The group pledge to work with Omobayo and Agbebaku to succeed in office, recalling that Omobayo was recently sworn in as the state Deputy Governor following the impeachment of Philip Shaibu by the state House of Assembly.