By Simeon OSAJIE
A group known as ‘Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide’, a socio-cultural defenders of the rich culture, traditions, customs and heritage of the Edo Nation has called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency to bar those aligned with the advocates of creating Anioma State from occupying elective positions in Edo State, particularly in the Edo South region, in order to avoid future regrets.
This was stated in a press statement signed by Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture – President, Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson – General Secretary and Mr. Monday Ohuimumwen JP – Diaspora Coordinator made available to newsmen in Benin City, Edo State Capital.
The statement read:
“Greetings to the people of Edo State, it is with great concern that we, the AIGUOBASINMWIN MOVEMENT WORLD-WIDE, a Socio-Cultural Defenders of the Rich Culture, Traditions, Customs and Heritage of the Edo Nation bring to light today, through this expository press conference, the clandestine activities surrounding the proposed creation of the proposed Anioma State.
“Our detailed investigation into Aspirants for the forthcoming general elections in Edo State, especially in Edo South Senatorial District, has unveiled substantial sponsorship of Aspirant like Mr. Ndidi Aghimien by the aforementioned States’ promoters under the auspices of the APC.
“Thus, the sponsors of Mr. Ndidi Aghimien, who is also running for Orhionmwon East Constituency one (1) of Igbanke axis, are promoters of the proposed Anioma’s state creation. Their plans are carefully crafted so that, Aspirant and others can facilitate their agenda to carve out part of Edo land which will be to the detriment of Edo State if they emerge victorious in the APC primaries and the 2027 General Elections.
“Considering the delicate timing and the aspirations of some tribes like the Ijaws and Igbos who are laying claim to parts of our land for the establishment of their respective states, it becomes imperative for the Edo people to bar those aligned with the advocates of these proposed states, notably Mr. Ndidi Aghimien, from occupying elective positions in Edo State, particularly in the Edo South region, in order to avoid future regrets.
“Accordingly, we are urging the APC Leadership in Edo State and Orhionmwon Local Government Area to jettison any plan(s) to have this individual as their consensus Candidate to fly the party flag.
“This should be seen as a warning that any orchestrated attempt to undermine our stance on feeding of candidates (Senatorial, House Representative, and at State level) who have affiliation with those clamouring for the ceding of Edo land for the creation of the imaginary state like Anioma within the APC as a ruling party in Edo State most especially Edo South will result to mobilizing against such persons(Aspirants) at the general elections. APC leaders in the Edo South Senatorial district can view this as a commitment.
“The purpose of this guidance is to rectify the troubling trend of leaders displaying a self-centered and apathetic demeanour prevalent among politicians. This warning is necessitated by concerns that a substantial number of Edo people, particularly grassroots supporters of Benin Nation, continue to lean towards voting for the APC.
“With this objective in mind, and given the respected leadership position in the South, we propose that, APC should not grant tickets to aspirants affiliated with individuals pushing for the creation of proposed states within Edo land, as this may impede their ability to effectively represent the interest of Benin Nation.
“We therefore implore APC Leaders in Edo State especially Edo South not to give out our land to promoters of the proposed Anioma state through their agents in Edo State who are vying for elective position like, Mr. Ndidi Aghimien and other Aspirants.
“For avoidance of doubt, in the Second Republic, when Bendel State was still one, Ndidi’s father, who was a Member of State House Assembly, moved the first major motion for Anioma State creation while urging the carving out Delta North, the Anioma/Igbo-speaking part, from Bendel.
“At that time, Edo South lawmakers saw Anioma state creation as “reducing Benin influence and Edo in whatever remained of Bendel. So the entire House blocked it. The logic was simple: keep Bendel intact, keep Benin as the center of power.
“That motion failed, and it took until 1991 for Delta State to be created under Babangida — with Anioma as part of Delta, not Edo.
“Similarly, when Ndidi’s father was nominated as Commissioner under Oshiomhole in 2008–2016, Tony Osazuwa blocked it at screening because of his agenda against Benin Nation. Thus, his biological inclination is something we can’t overlook as it relates to his recent ambition. We must be very careful at this critical time where strangers are working round the clock to grab our land under the guise of state creation.
“To this end, the leadership and entire members of AIGUOBASINMWIN MOVEMENT WORLD-WIDE both (home and abroad) respectfully implore APC Leaders in Edo State especially Edo South to consider our stance on the aforementioned issue with prompt attention, for which we would be most grateful.”