Leaders and stakeholders from Akoko-Edo in Edo North have issued a rallying call, demanding an end to their exclusion in the power sharing arrangements of Edo state and in the newly formed administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Despite delivering a record-breaking vote haul that secured the APC’s victory in the 2024 gubernatorial elections, they say Akoko-Edo finds itself sidelined, fueling frustration among its people.
At a strategic meeting in Benin City the stakeholders celebrated Governor Okpebholo’s inauguration but voiced their discontent over the absence of any political appointments for Akoko-Edo Local Government Area (LGA) in the emerging power structure.
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Olajina, who coordinated the APC Governorship Campaign in Akoko-Edo, described the situation as a slap in the face of the LGA’s immense contributions. “Akoko-Edo carried the APC on its back during the election. We overcame internal strife, unified our people, and delivered the highest votes in the district. Yet, here we are, completely ignored while others reap the benefits,” he said.
Olajina criticized the dominance of Etsako, highlighting that it has the senatorial seat, the only Edo State ministerial appointment, and the Governor’s Chief of Staff role. Meanwhile, Akoko-Edo, remains politically irrelevant in the scheme of things.
“This isn’t just an oversight; it feels deliberate. Etsako enjoys the lion’s share of political power while Akoko-Edo, one of the oldest LGAs in Nigeria with a proud history and massive contributions to the state, is treated like it is not there. This imbalance is dangerous and unacceptable,” Olajina emphasized.
The APC stalwart warned that continued marginalization could sow seeds of discontent. “We’ve been loyal, committed, and proactive for the APC, yet we are being punished for our efforts. This neglect risks alienating the people of Akoko-Edo and undermining the principles of equity and justice that the APC claims to stand for,” he said.
Olajina called on the APC leadership and the new government to urgently redress the imbalance, insisting that Akoko-Edo deserves its rightful place in the political arrangement. “We are not asking for favors; we are demanding justice. Akoko-Edo must be represented equitably. Anything less is a betrayal of our loyalty and sacrifices,” he declared.
The stakeholders vowed to continue pushing for fair representation, warning that ignoring their plight could have far-reaching consequences for the unity and stability of Edo North and the state at large. “We cannot afford to let this injustice continue,” Olajina concluded.
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