This study looked into the marginalization of Edo South by past governments of Edo State (including Adams Oshiomhole & his former godson, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the present Governor of Edo State). This marginalization is primarily from the political and economic perspective.
Edo South consist of seven local government areas which include, Oredo, Ovia South West, Egor, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas. This is a mere 38 percent of local government areas even though Edo South controls more than 54.74 percent of the state landmass, 58.52 percent of registered voters and generates more than 95.10 percent of FAAC revenues!
The economic and political marginalization of the Edo South under the Governor Godwin Obaseki is not subtle, it is an active and deliberate effort designed by him for his own selfish ambition.
The more than 7 years of Godwin Obaseki administration has been hell for the people living in the
grassroots in Edo South as he neither speak on their behalf or bring development to them.
When Godwin Obaseki was sworn in as the Governor of Edo State the atmosphere then was quite tensed as there was misunderstanding between him and Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and as a result of that, Governor Obaseki out of his own selfish ambition and power drunkenness, ordered the Edo State House of Assembly located at Ring Road (Edo South) in order to disrupt the swearing-in of members, with that urgent renovation the people living in Edo South suffered a lot of set back due to the fact there was no one to represent them.
After his four years tenure in office Obaseki decided to conduct local government election and then some months back the Governor at about 2am in the middle of night called all the senators, the ones he felt he can control, to wreck more havoc than good. He swore them in with immediate effect excluding the Labour Party(LP) members.
Moving forward do you know that Edo State have about 4,779.900 population and Edo South alone is 2,470,900! This is verifiable via the United Nations 2022 figures.
Now the distribution of of revenue allocation to local government councils by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in August 2023 for Edo State as an example, the total money that was disbursed was N5,655,845,678
While the ones that was disbursed to Edo South is N2,490,755,657.
Now LGA Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) through Edo South generated 82.6 percent of IGR. Edo South have 58.52 percent of registered voters which means that Edo South have lot of voter compared to other Geopolitical regions. Edo South gets 44.03% of revenue allocation. Even though Edo South contributes 82.6 percent of IGR and 95.10 percent of FAAC revenues.
Also, all federal positions from Minister to heads of federal agencies from Edo State are controlled by others. Edo South has NOTHING! Edo South pays the piper, but remains an economic victim! A Majority that is forced to kneel for others!
With the above it is now very evident that Edo State affairs as it affects Edo South negates every definition of equity and justice. Instead, it greatly manifests the marginalization of majority by the minority.
With all of these we shall all come together and say rejectemental to Asue Ighodalo or the quota system which is currently in the lip of most aspirants.
The 1999 constitution of Nigeria is the only supreme law that we follow and the constitution do not give room to the called “Quota System”. Enough is enough Edo indigene let us come out in full to campaign for and support the person that can deliver. We should not be distracted with quota system.
We must not vote in another person that will draw the state backwards more than the current crisis
Chief Patrick Osagie Eholor(aka Ultimate Equal)
President of One Love Foundation
