By Osemwengie Ben-Ogbemudia, Benin
Following the recent happenings in Edo State, especially between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Godwin Obaseki, some concerned Bini groups have called for an urgent meeting of the Bini nation worldwide to address the issue of the authentic speaker in the area of politics for the senatorial district.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, a Benin high chief and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief Udinmwen Amasosa, said the meeting became necessary to enable the Binis to speak with one voice politically.
Amasosa said regardless of political affiliations, the Binis have the likes of Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, though not a politician; Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Owerri Dickson Imasogie; a former Edo State deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu; Gen Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Senator Roland Owie, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Hon Samson Osagie, Lucky Igbinedion, Col. Paul Ogbebor and many others.
Amasosa said having looked at his qualities, financial contributions and background, the groups have zeroed in on Gen Charles Airhiavbere, who served the country as a soldier and rose to become a General and the Army pay master general.
He also said Gen Airhiavbere contested the Edo State governorship against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, under the People’s Democratic Party, and later the governorship primaries on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
He said, “We want to appeal to our Bini brothers and sisters, politically, to join us to beg our brother, Gen Charles Airhiavbere, to take this responsibility of bringing all Binis together to always speak in one voice. If we have a leader like him, all this issue of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki will not be there.
“With great respect to late Chief Tony Anenih, he was the rallying point and voice for Edo Central Senatorial Districtm, since Chief lucky Igbinedion, lost it and the death of our father, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, I think is high time we looked for another voice. Governor Godwin Obaseki has also lost the capacity to lead Bini people. All we see in him is vindictiveness, self-centredness, and we are already seeing a repeat of the event of 1897.
“So, we, therefore, beg our brother, Gen Charles Airhiavbere, to accept this opportunity and lead us out of this disgrace and give us a voice. We have prepared a letter to this regard, and we will personally meet with him to demand his leadership of Edo South Senatorial District. We will equally convey a meeting of the Bini nation this month and there, all these issues will be laid to rest by God’s grace.”
