A socio-political group in Edo State, Owan Conscience, has strongly opposed the reported automatic ticket granted to Senator Adams Oshiomhole during a recent meeting of All Progressives Congress leaders in Iyamoh.
The group insists it is Owan’s turn to produce the next senator for Edo North in 2027.
Addressing journalists in Benin City, the group’s Chairman, Barr. Richard Ofen-Imu, highlighted what he described as an unfair dominance of the senatorial seat by the Etsako sub-ethnic group. He noted that since 1960, Etsako has held the position for 31 years, while Akoko-Edo and Owan have each occupied it for only four years—the last being Senator Domingo Obende from Akoko-Edo between 2011 and 2015.
In a statement signed by Ofen-Imu and six other members, the group condemned Oshiomhole’s endorsement for a second term, calling it “unjust and insensitive.”
The statement emphasized that political positions in Edo North should be equitably shared among the three sub-ethnic groups: Akoko-Edo, Etsako, and Owan.
“Comrade Oshiomhole, like we all know, is of the Etsako sub-ethnic group, a group that has dominated the senatorial slot to the glaring disadvantage of Akoko-Edo and Owan. By 2027, Etsako would have held the senate slot for about 31 years, while Owan and Akoko-Edo have held it for only four years each. This is not only unfair and unjust but an act of wickedness of brother against brother,” the statement read.
The group further pointed out that key political appointments, including the current Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh, and the immediate past Minister, Prince Clem Agba, are from Etsako. Additionally, the immediate past ambassador and the current nominee for the position are also Etsako indigenes.
Owan Conscience called on political parties, particularly the APC, to zone the 2027 senatorial ticket to Owan in the interest of fairness and equity. The group urged Owan APC leaders to reject any endorsement of Oshiomhole’s re-election bid, describing such support as “injustice and selfishness.”
The statement concluded with a plea for political stakeholders to uphold the principles of rotational representation to ensure balanced development and unity in Edo North. The group vowed to mobilize support across the district to resist what it termed an “unjust political arrangement.”
This development signals growing tension within the APC in Edo North as the 2027 elections approach, with demands for equitable power-sharing taking center stage in the region’s political discourse.
