By DADA AYOKHAI
The Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, a socio-cultural group defending Edo customs and heritage, has warned the All Progressives Congress, APC, against fielding Mr. Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu and Mr. Ndidi Aghimien as candidates in the upcoming National and State House of Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, the group’s President, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, General Secretary Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson, and Diaspora Coordinator Mr. Monday Ohuimumwen, JP, alleged that both aspirants are backed by promoters of the proposed Toru-Ebe and Anioma states.
The group claimed the proposed states would be carved out of Edo territory to the detriment of the state. It said sponsors of Mr. Iyamu, who is vying for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat, and Mr. Aghimien, running for Orhionmwon East Constituency 1 covering the Igbanke axis, are pushing the state creation agenda.
According to the movement, its investigation into Edo South Senatorial District aspirants ahead of the general elections uncovered “substantial sponsorship” of Iyamu and Aghimien by the proponents of the new states under the APC platform.
”Their plans are carefully crafted so that, both Aspirants 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. Paddy Iyamu and 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, Oredo and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas inclusively to jettison any plan(s) to have these individuals as their consensus Candidates 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 states like Toru Ebe and 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 Edo nation.
”We therefore implore APC Leaders in Edo State especially Edo South not to give out our land to promoters of Toru Ebe and Anioma states through their agents in Edo State who are vying for elective position like Mr. Paddy Iyamu, Mr. Ndidi Aghimien and other Aspirants.
”For avoidance of doubt, Mr. Paddy Iyamu Mother and Wife are Ijaws. 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 Lead
Group Warns APC Against Fielding Iyamu, Aghimien Over Alleged Link to New States Agitation
