The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has been asked to zone its governorship ticket to Edo Central in the interest of fairness, equity, brotherhood and justice.
National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh in a statement quoted the Esan Descendants Assembly, a non-political, social cultural organization to have made the call in Benin City, Edo State capital at the weekend when it paid a courtesy call on the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Barrister Julius Abure.
Comrade Abure expressed appreciation to the group for their unequalled commitment and ceaseless passion for good governance and their quest for equity and justice over the years toward a better Esan land in particular and Edo State in general.
“The Labour Party is built on equity and justice, as such, the National Executive Council of the party is the only organ of the party that is constitutionally empowered to decide on zoning.
“I’m certain that Edo Central interest and all other interests will be considered by the National Executive Council when the time comes.
“Labour Party will no doubt pick the best among the contestants because Edo State is not working at the moment, in spite of the abundant human and material resources of the state”, Comrade Abure said.
Earlier, the leader of the group, Prof Oyaziwo Aluede, commended Comrade Abure for his resilience, doggedness and stoicism while countless legal battles instituted against his office by the Apapa-led dissident group hired to truncate the Labour Party lasted.
“Let me begin by congratulating you and the entire Labour Party leadership for overcoming all the legal battles deliberately orchestrated by the Apapa-led dissident group to truncate the Pan Nigerian Movement that the Labour Party has become.
“We’re of the belief that through you and the Labour Party Nigeria, Edo state and Esan land will be great again.
“We’re of the view that all the three major political parties in Edo State should, as a matter of fairness, equity, brotherhood and justice should zone their governorship tickets to Edo Central in 2024 election”, the leader of the group said.
Prof Aluede gave graphic accounts on how Edo South has governed the state for sixteen years, Edo North for eight years, while Prof Osaremen Osunbor, who was not recognized by law as the Governor of the state was only in office for eighteen months, since 1999.
Prof Aluede and his group appealed to the National Chairman and the Labour Party National and State leadership to zone the Labour Party’s ticket to Esan land, regardless of what other sections of the state that have governed the state might say.
Prof G.R.A Okogun and Dr Judith Iseghohi reinterated the need for the Labour Party and other major political parties to zone their tickets to Esan land to foster the bond of affinity of Edo homogeneity.
They hinted that Edo Central parades some of the best minds, especially now that majority of the people want the next Governor to come from Esan land.
On the entourage of the group are Prof Oyaziwo Aluede, Dr Francis Igberase, Engr. Dr Raphael Ebhojiaye, Dr Hillary Isikhuemen, Mr Jimmy Okoinemen, Dr, Judith Iseghohi and Prof Mrs Omon Owolabi.