Ahead of the 2023 general election, a socio/political group “Equity Forum” has made a case for equitable distribution of both elective and political positions in Etsako Federal Constituency.
The coordinator of the group, Mr. Aliu Momohsani Umoru, who spoke to journalists in Auchi Monday, disclosed that “it is only equitable sharing of positions by the different components in the area that could truly reflect the federal character principle as enshrined in the constitution of the country”.
Going down memory, he said the people of Auchi have always played a stabilizing role in Afemai and Etsako political configuration, adding that Auchi as the largest voting population in Etsako should be considered for the plum position of the Etsako Federal constituency.
He appealed to the leadership of the two major political parties to field an Auchi man or woman in order to promote the cordial relationship existing among the people of Etsako extraction
According to the coordinator, during the Second Republic, Senator John Umolu (1979-1983) was from the then Weppa/Wanno clan while Senator Franca Afegbua from Okpella clan occupied the seat between October and December 1983.
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“Again, during the aborted Third Republic between 1991 and 1992, Senator Albert Legogie from Ekperi clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area occupied the seat before Senator Victor Oyofo from South Ibie clan (1998-2003) took over while the incumbent Senator Francis Alimikhena is from Agenebode axis.
“For the Etsako Federal Constituency, the seat has been rotated among various clans to the brazen exclusion and marginalization of Auchi clan.
” In the Second Republic, Alhaji Zika Momodu from Agbede was elected from October 1983 to December 1983 before Alhaji J.B Momoh from North Ibie clan.
“During the ill-fated Third Republic, Barrister Abdulrahman Kadiri from South Ibie was elected and then Mr Austin Obozuwa from Agenebode from 1999 to 2003 after which Engineer Abubakar Momoh from Nort Ibie held away from 2007- 2015 before passing it to Engr Abass Braimah, also from South Ibie while the incumbent, Johnson Oghuma is from Avianwu clan.
“The current deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu from Uzairue Clan was also elected before his emergence as the Edo state number two man. Where is Auchi in the political Equation?
” Come, 2023, we will agitate, appeal and canvass for support in the spirit of fairness and equity to have one of our own either in the Senate or House of Representatives”, he said.
