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By Emma Amaize & Osaro Okhomina
Monday, October 18, 2004
IGUEBEN — POLITICAL heavyweights in Esan land, Edo state, rose from a meeting at Igueben, weekend, alleging hijack of leadership in the area by a clique of selfish politicians. The leaders therefore, resolved to set up a proper leadership structure for the Peoples Democratic Party in the Edo Central senatorial district.
At the meeting presided over by the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi under the auspices of Esan Leadership Forum, the leaders stated that the dictatorial and despotic tendencies in all its ramifications of these political gangsters were what had made it impossible for them (Esan) to operate “as a cohesive force in order to work side by side meaningfully and fruitfully with the leaders of other senatorial districts in the state.”
Among those who attended the meeting were the defunct SDP chairman in the state, Mr Jacob Izibili, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Chief David Iyoha, former chairman of Esan North East local government, Chief Clifford Eineh, Commissioner for Sports in the state, Mr. Ken Ihensekhien, former Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Pip Olumese, a member of the State House of Assembly, Mr Fidelis Ogbejiele and other leaders.
They resolved, among other things, that henceforth, they would be “irrevocably committed to upholding the practice of democratic principles in all it forms, and will therefore preserve and protect the sanctity of the franchise, that the vote will continue to be the only acceptable means by which persons will be chosen to represent our people in positions in the party, legislature or government.”
According to them, a proper leadership structure for the party in Edo Central Senatorial District made up of recognised leaders of the party from each of the 51 wards in the district would be established, and key leaders out of the established core leadership be selected, mandated and enabled to represent the district at the highest level in the state. Other resolutions were that: “This leadership should work harmoniously with all interest groups in the senatorial district, including traditional rulers, youths, women, professional groups, etc, to ensure that the core interests of our people are properly articulated and pursued, that a proper framework for liaison with our sister senatorial districts be established in order to ensure the protection of our peoples interests at all times.”
The Forum also agreed that “capable individuals of proven integrity willing to serve our people selflessly be identified and groomed to represent this region at the state level and the federal system in the future.” The leaders commended the national chairman of the Movement of National Reformation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, founding fathers of the 4th region of Nigeria, the MidWestern region, including Dr Christopher Okojie, late Prince G. Shaka Mamodu, Prince Albert Okojie, the late Governor Ambrose Alli, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu and a host of others for their contributions to the development of Esan land. The Esan PDP leaders acknowledged that the district was well represented for now in the scheme of things in the state with their son as Speaker and chairman of the party in the state, and conveyed their appreciation to Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
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