A seeming battle is brewing in Edo State as the majority ethnic group, the Benin people is complaining about marginalization by an ethnic minority in the affairs of Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, BORBDA.
The Benin people of Edo South senatorial district who constitute over 50 per cent of the population of Edo State are facing outright marginalization by Etsako, an ethnic minority from Edo North Senatorial district in the appointment of personnel into the board of BORBDA.
Since the establishment of BORBDA over 42 years ago no person of Benin extraction has ever been appointed as Managing Director /Chief Executive. This in despite the headquarter of the authority domiciled in Obayantor, Ikpoba Okha, Local Government Council in Edo South Senatorial district of Edo State.
The last Managing Director was from Etsako, Edo North Senatorial district. Hence, the rotational policy which ensures that Edo, Delta and Ondo states rotate the Chief Executive Position has never favoured an Edo South person despite their having competent people who have risen through the ranks of the organization.
It was such a situation that prompted the revered monarch of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare II to engage in some diplomatic shuttle, pleading with the authority to ensure that the highest ranking Benin person is appointed the Managing Director. In separate letters dated 7th November, 2023, 19th June, 2024 and 15th October, 2024 with reference numbers BTCA40/VOLLVVI/75, BTCA40/VOL LVVI/190, BTCA40/VOLLVVI/248 respectively, the Benin monarch pleaded with the relevant authorities to redress this injustice meted upon the Benin People, who are the host community.
Sadly, when the announcement of the constitution of a board to run the affairs of BORBDA was announced the Benin were excluded from the appointments. Not only was the request of the Benin monarch not honoured, the two persons from Edo State appointed into the board are both from Edo North senatorial district, a clear violation of the principles of federal character.
According to a pan Benin cultural organization, Benin National Congress, BNC certain persons from Edo State who have the ears of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have decided to misadvice the president, just to favour their own ethnic group.
Mike Ohio Ezomo and Johnson Oghuma, both from Edo North senatorial district were appointed to represent Edo State on the board. No person from Edo south senatorial district was appointed into the board of BORBDA. The Benin National Congress, decided to file a suit at the Federal High Court in Benin to challenge the said appointment as unconstitutional and a breach of the Federal Character Principle.
The claimants led by Pastor Amadin Owas allege that the appointments violate the Federal Character Commission Act and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended by failing to include representation from Edo South senatorial district, which is the host community.
The suit was held on 4th February before Justice Prof. Obiozor who granted the prayers of the Claimant to serve the defendants and BORBDA by substituted means, noting that the interlocutory injunction restraining the board members from parading themselves would be granted at the next adjourned date effective after 30 days of the substituted service. The matter was adjourned to 27th March, 2025.
The claimants were requested to publish the order in Vanguard and Observers newspapers.
Meanwhile thousands of Benin youths and women of thronged to the streets to protest against the perpetual and continued marginalization of the Benin at BORBDA. The protest took place on 10th February.
According to BNC, the President should listen to the cries of the Benin and reprimand those who misled and misadvised him on the appointments now being challenged in court.
