By Okpokpo Okhumode, Auchi
Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State have called for an immediate end to the recurring marginalisation of the area in appointments at the federal level urging the leader of the party in the State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in the matter for the sake of equity, peace and justice.
Rising from an emergency meeting at the party’s secretariat in Fugar, the administrative headquarters of the local government, which was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders in the local government area, it was agreed that the systematic marginalisation of the area in terms of appointments will no longer be accepted.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting which is now known as the ‘Malotse’ Declaration (ITS OUR TURN)” the APC leaders in the local government resolved that a committee of eminent leaders should meet with the leaders of the party in the state and the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomole to address the recurring injustice done to members of the party in Etsako Central.
The leaders also observed that Etsako West that has the Senate slot also occupies various offices like Deputy Governor, Federal Road Management Agency, (FERMA), Benin Owena River Basin, Police Service Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ambassadorial slot while on the other hand, Etsako East has the House of Representatives slot just after eight years in the Senate and a Ministerial Slot, leaving nothing to Etsako Central.
They therefore insisted on the need for inclusion of the local government citizens in the first batch of federal appointments including the Ministerial slot in the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was also resolved that the party should actively participate in the forthcoming Edo State local government elections with the sole aim of clinching all the seats and to achieve this objective, it was agreed that a campaign council be formed after the councillorship and chairmanship candidates had been presented to the leaders.
Those in attendance were APC South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary, Dr Blessing Agbomhere; Edo State House of Assembly Member, Hon. Ahmed Waziri; Chief Richard Lamai; Chief Richard Okozi, Hon. Joseph Ughioke, Mrs Geano Abdala, Alhaji Sir Waziri Oshioma and Elder Fred Alemho
Others are LGA Executives led by Chairman John Saliu; Suleiman Bagudu, King Mayor Omoba, King Benji Igbadumhe, Alhaji Aliyu Umaru, Alhaji Dr. Buddy Mustapha, Ms Vera Sado, Hon. Oshiogbele, Pastor Osugbo, Zonal Leaders, Ward Leaders, Ward chairmen among others.