Ize-Iyamu Pushes Edo Guber Aspiration With New Arguments On Zoning

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has brought a new dimension to the agitation for zoning of the governorship in Edo State saying that sections of the state in all three senatorial districts have been left out with the governorship restricted to selected sections of the state.

According to him the development has made it necessary to open up the governorship to a candidate who will run an inclusive government that will benefit all sections of the state.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu addressed the issue on zoning in a broadcast over the weekend.

He said:

The agitation all over the state for governorship arises from perceived marginalization. I will like to run a government where every group in the state will have a sense of belonging. When I was chief of staff I ensured as a measure of deliberate policy that every appointment we did covered the three senatorial districts and all the 18 local governments. That’s why they still respect me and appreciate me.

I have heard the agitation from Edo Central about governorship and I will tell you frankly that I have a lot of friends from there.

To a large extent I sympathise with them. Every one has a right to be governor. The same way that they are agitating for governorship is the same way that the Owan will tell you that we have never had it. That the Bini have had it. Etsako have had it. Esan have had it. Why don’t we have it.

Even in Esan land, there is a dichotomy of Agbazillo and Okpeho. Those in Agbazillo where you have Esan Northeast and Southeast will tell you that this agitation should be for us because the two times that we have governor in Esan land that it has been Okpeho (Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben) and that if we really want equity, let it come to local governments that have not had it. So, governorship in Esan land should come to Agbazillo.

If you just lump Edo South together and say that there are seven local governments they have had it before. My local government, Orhionmwon and the adjoining one, Uhunmwonde are the most underdeveloped parts of the state because everyone that comes wants to focus on Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba-Okha. And of course with the likes of Chief Igbinendion and others Ovia is taken care of. So, the ones you see totally neglected and even ironically, that is where the wealth of the state comes from; Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde, vast land, but no light no water, nothing. So, the clamour from our place for governorship is strong.

Edo Central for example has nothing, no industries and the only thing you can point to is the state university and that university has been totally abandoned by the State Government.

Any part of the state has a right to be governor, we are all one. And by the grace of God we believe that our emergence will put a stop to this agitation. Because if we have a governor that is all embracing, that believes inclusion, the cry of marginalisation will become less.

GWG.ng reports that the assertion by Pastor Ize-Iyamu is his first frontal rebuff of the agitation for zoning and how it changes the dynamics in the Edo State chapter of the APC will be seen in the days ahead.

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