Halt the marginalization of the Benins in federal Government! An open letter to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, by the Benin Development Union.
With profound appreciation of the task of governance, especially the peculiar nature of Nigeria's polity and security situations; we convey our gratitude to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the peaceful and credible gubernatorial election in Edo state held on the 14th of July 2012. The outcome, precisely the resounding victory in favor of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole reflects the monumental enthusiasms and aspirations of the mass of Edo people, irrespective of political and tribal differences. The deployment of soldiers with desirable logistics for the election fashioned a peaceful atmosphere for the election, without any militarized casualty.
Of grave concern to the Benins and concerned Edo people is the trend of systemic alienation of the Benins from federal offices, under the current Presidency of President Goodluck Jonathan. From our assessment, the protracted depletion of our illustrious indigenes from noble appointments in the federal sector suggests a scheme of alienation of our people by the Goodluck Jonathan's administration, despite our population, landmass and natural resources endowments. As we write this open letter, Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi – former Minister of State for Works, Mr. Steve Oronsaye- former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru- former chairman of Federal Inland Revenue, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa- former Nigeria's Ambassador to Italy are prominent Benins whom have been relieved of their posts on account of tenure or retirement from the federal government.
The Benins are domiciled mainly in Edo South senatorial district of Edo state, and ironically, on account of our peaceful disposition and hospitality, we have suffered a fatal marginalization and near-lack of federal presence in our region. We wish to make clear that our human capital is suffering greatly, as non of our credible sons and daughters have being empowered in form of contracts or federal boards appointments; whereas minority senatorial districts of Edo state are have the following - Edo North senatorial district ably led by Mr. Mike Ogiadhome Chief of Staff, to Mr. President, and Admiral Mike Akhigbe; Edo Central Senatorial District is led by Mike Ononelemen- Minister for Works and Chief Tony Anenih respectively. From the foregoing, it is obvious that our people have been placed under a 'coded policy' of alienation by the federal government, or how else can we rationalize the alleged attempt to undermine the human capital potentials of our people despite our potentials and historical antecedents as a pre-colonial nation. Our land especially boundaries with neighboring states have not being spared of encroachments by ravaging militant groups whose stock-in-trade is the provocation of lawlessness and anti-cultural hurricane of our shared values.
It is in the light of the foregoing that the Trustees and members of the Benin Development Union seeks your personal intervention, by ensuring that some of our outstanding political and economic Icons and intelligentsias are considered worthy for immediate appointment and other forms of empowerment, in order to give credence to our professional capabilities as a people; as well as national sense of belonging as a member of Nigeria's comity of ethnic nationalities.
However, as a people that understands the nuclear approaches to relevance in Nigeria's political super-structure, we may consider other means to seek redress if the substance of this humble letter is not given it deserved-attention.
Long Live B.D.U.
Long Live Edo State
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed
Okaro' Luggard Igbinaduwa Edoimioya
Director of Publicity, Benin Development Union.