How Owan/Akoko-Edo Marginalisation Hinders Development In Area, Ifijen 

From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)

The convener of Owan/Akoko-Edo Alliance, Mr Sunny Ifijen has attributed the political marginalization of the area by successive government of the state as reason for underdevelopment of the three Local Government Areas in Edo North senatorial district of the state.

Ifijen alleged that successive government completely allaniated the council areas in terms of key appointments at both federal and state levels since the current democratic dispensation.

Ifijen made this known in a statement he signed with his secretary, Mr Ogumah Omeiza and made available to newsmen on Monday.

He further said that the two Owan and Akoko-Edo were also not reckoned with in terms of distribution of infrastructural and developmental projects from both state and national governments.

He said such was the case that the three council areas were now seen as second class citizens of the state in the senatorial district.

Ifijen noted that the 2024 governorship election in the state has presented itself for the two Owan and Akoko-Edo to speak with one voice in pursuance of their common cause.

"Owan and Akoko-Edo have become a common political toy to be used by every politicians in every election years only to be discarded thereafter.

"It is funny that since 1999, the highest federal appointment the area has ever gotten in terms of political partronage was Special Adviser to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in the person of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

"Every successive government in the state had always cornered all the key federal appointments to the areas, especially the three Etsako that is part of the Edo North senatorial district.

"This is the same situation with any developmental projects to the zone that always end up in Etsako.

"Even at the sae level, our people also have suffered similar fate.

"Adams Oshiomhole whom we relied on to be the one to stop this seeming marginalisation became the harbinger of the worst to come.

"Every opportunity he had as the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently national leader of the party, he used to allaniate Owan and Akoko-Edo.

"Etsako had in two succession produced two Ministers courtesy Oshiomhole. This is aside numerous other key appointments he attracted to the three Etsako.

"We just had a momentary recognition through the Godwin Obaseki led administration who had selected two of our sons as Speaker of the state House of Assembly as well as the Deputy Governor of the state.

"I still consider this a momentary vcitory because we all know that the appointment of the Deputy Governor was as a result of the impeachment of the former."

Ifijen urged Owan and Akoko-Edo to take their destiny in their hands by election a governor who will change the narrative.

"We can only do this by being united and speak with one voice come September 21.