By DADA AYOKHAI
The political landscape of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State is once again a subject of intense debate, as the Auchi community presents statistical evidence to support their claim that the Uzairue clan has disproportionately held the council chairmanship since 1970.
This resurgence of the discussion comes ahead of the upcoming local government elections, where the battle for the chairman’s seat is primarily between Auchi and Uzairue, the two major clans in the local government.
Etsako West comprises six clans: Uzairue, Auchi, South Ibie, Anwain, Jagbe, and Aviele, each with its own aspirations for leadership and development.
The core of Auchi’s argument lies in a detailed statistical table, reportedly compiled by a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Auchi. This table meticulously lists past chairmen, their respective clans, and the duration of their tenures, spanning from 1970 to the present day.
The intention behind this compilation is to provide concrete data that bolsters Auchi’s demand for a more equitable distribution of power within the local government. By presenting this historical overview, the Auchi community aims to demonstrate a pattern of Uzairue’s over-representation in the council’s leadership.
According to the presented statistics, three former chairmen hailing from the Uzairue clan – S.A. Imodagbe, Emmanuel Okolo, and Lucky James – collectively served for a total of 12 years and 6 months.
This figure forms the crux of Auchi’s argument, suggesting a need for a shift in leadership dynamics to ensure a fairer representation of all clans within Etsako West.
In total, Uzairue clan is said to have produced a total 9 LGA chairmen with cumulative years of 22 and 6 months in office.
Again the LGA chairmen from clan were said to successful complete their tenure of office.
On the side of Auchi, none of the council chairmen completed a tenure of office ,the , highest spending an average of a year and 6 months in office as seen with through Yakubu Musa and Busari yusuff .
A case study was Hon Kadiri the first executive chairman from Auchi has his tenure truncated by his sudden death .
Attempts to have another elected chairman from Auchi, Hon Yakubu Oshiorenua to complete a tenure of office was thwarted by the then Obaseki administration through impeachment and replaced with a vice chairman from south ibie clan.
In totality , the document claimed Auchi has spent a minimal of 5years and 6 months in office from 1970 to date.
The stats show a stark contrast: Uzairue’s 22 years and 6 months vs Auchi’s 5 years and 6 months. With these numbers, Auchi is pushing for a stronger say in Etsako West’s leadership .
Auchi is backing Abubakar Igbei as their consensus candidate for the APC Primaries who was also the party chairmanship candidate in the last chairmanship election conducted by the Godwin Obaseki administration.
Uzairue is presenting multiple aspirants, with Romeo Omoike, a cousin of Adams Oshiomhole as a leading aspirant.
Auchi’s fear is rooted in Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s influence, as he’s a former Governor and leader of the party in Etsako West and the district, hailing from Uzairue with a relation as a chairmanship aspirant .
As the local government election approaches, the debate is expected to intensify, with both Auchi and Uzairue vying for the opportunity to lead the council and shape the future of Etsako West.
