By: Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie.
( Former National Rescue Movement.NRM Governorship Candidate)
I write this message as an aggrieved Edo South man, a concerned Edo citizen, and most importantly, as someone who made a personal political sacrifice for the unity of Edo South.
The apparent marginalization of Edo South Senatorial District within the APC, particularly in the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, is deeply troubling and difficult to understand. A political party that seeks victory through the collective efforts of its members must also demonstrate fairness, equity and inclusiveness in the distribution of political responsibilities.
What makes this situation particularly painful to me is the apparent absence of adequate representation from Edo South in such an important campaign structure. How can a major senatorial district be expected to give its full political strength to a party while its people are seemingly excluded from the table where critical political decisions and campaign strategies are being shaped?
I am personally aggrieved.I say this not out of bitterness, but out of a deep sense of disappointment arising from my own political experience.
I, Dr. Dennis Osahon Aikoriogie, was the only Edo South governorship candidate who stepped down from the governorship race, in the interest and support for His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
That decision was not made because I lacked ambition. It was not because I did not believe in my own capacity to lead Edo State. It was a conscious political sacrifice made in the belief that unity within the was more important than personal ambition.
I expected that such sacrifices would be remembered, respected and rewarded with fairness, not necessarily with personal appointments or positions, but with recognition of the political contributions of Edo South and the people who stood firmly for the party when it mattered.
Unfortunately, the present situation creates a painful impression that Edo South’s loyalty and sacrifice may have been taken for granted.
Let me make it clear: political loyalty should not mean political slavery, and party unity should not become an excuse for political exclusion.
Edo South is not a peripheral component of Edo State politics. It is a major political constituency with enormous human resources, political experience, intellectual capacity and electoral strength. Its people deserve meaningful representation in the structures of the party and in major campaign organisations.
The APC must therefore answer a fundamental question: If Edo South was important enough to mobilise its votes, support the party and make sacrifices for victory, why should Edo South be considered unimportant when positions of responsibility are being distributed?
This is not a demand for tokenism. It is a demand for equity, fairness and political inclusion.
I have no regret supporting the collective interest of the people of Edo South Senatorial Districts, I have no regret making the sacrifice I made during the governorship elections. But I have every right, as a stakeholder and a participant in that process, to express my disappointment when the political district from which I come appears to be inadequately represented.
The APC cannot build a strong and enduring political structure by making some people feel that their contributions matter only during elections.
Those who sacrifice for the party during difficult moments must not become invisible when the rewards and responsibilities of political success are being shared.
I therefore appeal to the leadership of the APC, at both the state and national levels, to look critically into the concerns of Edo South. The party must deliberately promote a culture of inclusiveness where every senatorial district feels valued, respected and represented.
My position is clear to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo. On the contrary, having personally stepped down in his favour during the governorship elections, I remain conscious of the political choice I made at that time. But I didn’t surrender my right to speak when there is a legitimate grievance.
I will continue to defend the principle of fairness.
My grievance is therefore not about personal entitlement. It is about the dignity of Edo South, the value of political sacrifice, and the need for a party that genuinely recognises all its stakeholders.
The APC must not allow the people of Edo South to arrive at the painful conclusion that their loyalty is appreciated only at the ballot box.
We seek no favour. We seek fairness.
We demand no privilege. We demand inclusion.
We seek no political quarrel. We seek justice.
And as one who personally sacrificed his governorship ambition for the sake of unity, I believe I have earned the moral right to say:
Edo South cannot continue to be politically relevant at the polling booth and politically invisible at the table of decision-making.
It is time for the APC to correct this imbalance, restore confidence and demonstrate that every sacrifice made for the party truly counts.
Edo South must be recognized and better represented.
Edo State must be great again.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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