A socio-political group, Owan Conscience, on Saturday kicked against any attempt to impose Adams Oshiomhole, incumbent Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, for a second term in the Senate, saying the Edo North Senatorial slot for 2027 should, expectedly, go to the Owan people who have only occupied the senatorial seat from 2007 to 2011.
The group frowned at efforts by a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming to have endorsed Oshiomhole for a second term in the Senate.
Condemning the alleged endorsement, the Owan leaders, under the auspices of Owan Conscience, called on the various political parties, especially the APC, to zone their senatorial slot to Owan for the sake of equity and fairness.
The leaders, who include Richard Ofen-Imu, Chief Richard Ehimigbai, Dr. Victoria Amu, Mrs. Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, Chief Patrick Agbebaku-Izobo, Princess Yinka Alufohai, and Comrade Mike Igaga, cautioned the APC against considering the second term bid of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who hails from Etsako West Local Government Council in the Edo North Senatorial District.
The group called on Owan APC leaders not to, under any guise, give support to the so-called endorsement, which it noted is founded on injustice and selfishness.
The Owan leaders added that giving support to the so-called endorsement of Oshiomhole for a second term in the Senate in 2027 is a huge disservice to Owan people in the same Edo North Senatorial District as the former Edo State governor.
“We read in the media recently that the Edo North caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had endorsed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, for a second term in the Senate.
“This is not only unfair and unjust but an act of wickedness of brother against brother, and it lacks equity.
“Needless to add that the current Minister from Edo State, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, is from Etsako, same as the immediate past Minister, Prince Clem Agba.
“The immediate past Ambassador is an Etsako man. The current nominee for the same position of Ambassador is also from Etsako; just to mention but a few positions zoned to Edo State/Edo North and being held by indigenes of Etsako.
“Rotation of elective political offices among component ethnic or sub-ethnic groups is a major feature of democratic governance in the country. Therefore, the Edo North Senatorial slot for 2027 should, expectedly, go to the Owan people who have only occupied the senatorial seat from 2007 to 2011.
“We thank the revered elders of Edo North, the Rt. Hon. Col. Tunde Akogun (KSC), Senator Yisa Braimoh, Senator Victor Oyofo, and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi (of blessed memory), who vociferously canvassed a rotation of the senatorial seat to Owan in order of rotation precedent. This was the mood until the current Senator forcefully emerged and truncated the momentum,” they stated.
Recall that Owan Conscience is a socio-economic and cultural organization of Owan sons and daughters who are desirous of unifying the various clans of Owan East and West Local Government Areas, accelerating growth and development in the area, as well as projecting and defending the interest of its people in every sector of the economy.