As a follow-up to last week’s edition, I make a humble but firm appeal to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undertake a dispassionate review of the political antecedents of the Edo South Senatorial District as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections. Such a review is not only timely but necessary, if the party is to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, inclusion, and internal democracy upon which it prides itself.
Edo South, often referred to as Edo Central’s political and economic heartbeat, is a district with a long history of political participation and contribution to both state and national governance. Yet, when one carefully examines the pattern of senatorial representation in the district over the years, a troubling imbalance becomes evident.
Almost all the local government areas that constitute Edo South have, at one time or another, produced a senator— some even more than once. Despite its size, population, and political relevance, Orhionmwon Local Government Area has remained conspicuously sidelined in this critical aspect of political representation.
In a democracy, power-sharing and representation should reflect a sense of balance and fairness. While it is true that politics is driven by interests, negotiations, and strategy, courtesy and equity must not be completely sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. There comes a point where moral responsibility should prevail over elite consensus. That point, I submit, is now.
Orhionmwon deserves to produce the next senator for Edo South. This is not a sentimental argument, nor is it rooted in parochialism. It is a legitimate demand anchored on political justice, historical imbalance, and democratic ethics. Continually denying Orhionmwon this opportunity sends a dangerous signal that certain communities are permanently destined to remain spectators in the political process rather than active participants. Besides, Orhionmwon deserves massive development as a major oil and gas producing locality.
Even with its contribution to the economic fortunes of Nigeria, it is disheartening that large parts of Orhionmwon remain without electricity, while the Benin–Abraka Road, a major federal highway critical to the area’s economic and social life, is still under prolonged construction. The slow pace of work on such an important artery continues to inconvenience residents and stifle development.
These shortcomings might have been avoided had an Orhionmwon indigene occupied the senatorial seat. With effective representation, the road project would likely have been completed, and electricity and other essential social amenities attracted to the area, improving the quality of life and fostering meaningful development.
More compelling, however, is the performance deficit of the current senator representing Edo South. Representation is not merely about occupying a seat in the Red Chamber; it is about advocacy, visibility, legislative contribution, and constituency engagement. By these standards, the district has been poorly served.
It is no secret that the current senator did not emerge as a result of overwhelming grassroots popularity or established political pedigree. His victory was largely circumstantial, riding on the wave of a national political movement— the so-called Obedient phenomenon, which swept through some parts of the country at the time. That movement, rather than personal credibility or long-standing engagement with the people of Edo South, provided the momentum that propelled him into office.
Elections won by providence rather than preparation often expose their weaknesses in governance. Since assuming office, there has been little evidence of robust representation. Constituency outreach has been weak, legislative presence largely unremarkable, and tangible constituency projects— those physical and social interventions that directly improve the lives of constituents are either non-existent or grossly inadequate. For a district that prides itself on political consciousness and civic awareness, this situation is deeply unsatisfactory.
Disturbingly, despite this lacklustre performance, the senator is reportedly warming up for another attempt at the seat in 2027. This time under a different political platform, the APC. Politics, of course, allows for ideological migration, but party defection should not be mistaken for political reinvention. Changing party colours does not automatically translate into renewed legitimacy or improved capacity for representation.
Even more concerning are insinuations that the senator is allegedly banking on the support of powerful political figures at the national level, including the Senate President, to secure the APC ticket. While alliances and endorsements are part of politics, no candidate should be imposed on a politically enlightened district like Edo South through external influence. Such a strategy, if pursued, may prove to be a herculean task, given the growing awareness and assertiveness of the electorate.
Edo politics has evolved. The era when political decisions were taken exclusively in smoke-filled rooms far removed from the people is gradually fading. Today, voters are more informed, party members more vocal, and communities more determined to have a say in who represents them. Any attempt to override this reality through elite imposition risks backlash, internal party crisis, and eventual electoral defeat.
It is therefore baffling and indeed disappointing to see how some individuals still engage in backroom agreements with political bigwigs to enthrone lackeys, even when such candidates lack the political depth, grassroots acceptance, or moral authority to represent the people effectively. Worse still, some of these political demagogues are hardly rooted in the state or the district they seek to represent, yet they are packaged and projected as viable options simply because of who stands behind them.
This practice is unhealthy for democracy. It breeds resentment, deepens internal divisions, and alienates loyal party faithful who have laboured for years without recognition. When hard work, consistency, and grassroots engagement are repeatedly sacrificed for opportunism, the message sent to party members is clear: loyalty does not pay; proximity to power does.
For Edo South, and indeed for the APC, this is a dangerous precedent. Political parties thrive on trust, cohesion, and a sense of belonging. When segments of the party feel perpetually marginalised, enthusiasm wanes, mobilisation becomes difficult, and electoral fortunes suffer.
This is why the 2027 senatorial contest must be approached with wisdom and sensitivity. Orhionmwon should not merely be considered; it should be prioritised. More importantly, the ticket should be ceded to a credible personality from Orhionmwon with demonstrable political clout, grassroots acceptance, and a clear understanding of the district’s socio-political dynamics.
Edo South does not need a senator who hides under the cloak of political godfathers outside the state. It needs a representative who draws strength from the people, not from distant power centres. True representation flows upward from the grassroots, not downward from imposed authority.
When candidates rely excessively on external influence, they often become disconnected from the everyday realities of their constituents. Such representatives are more accountable to their sponsors than to the people they are meant to serve. This undermines the very essence of representative democracy.
Furthermore, continued marginalisation of Orhionmwon significantly erodes the political morale of the district. Young people become disillusioned, party structures weaken, and civic participation declines. Over time, this sense of exclusion can morph into political apathy or protest voting— outcomes that no serious political party desires.
The APC must recognise that internal equity strengthens external appeal. A party that practises fairness within its ranks is better positioned to campaign credibly on justice and inclusion at the national level. Conversely, a party perceived as unfair or exclusionary internally will struggle to inspire confidence among the electorate.
Ceding the Edo South Senatorial District ticket to Orhionmwon in 2027 would therefore be more than a political decision; it would be a symbolic affirmation of fairness and corrective justice. It would demonstrate that the APC listens to its grassroots, values contribution over connection, and is committed to strengthening democracy from within.
This is not to suggest that Orhionmwon should produce just any candidate. On the contrary, competence, credibility, and character must remain paramount. The district has several individuals with proven political experience, party loyalty, and grassroots appeal— individuals who have paid their dues and are well positioned to offer purposeful representation in the Red Chamber.
As the countdown to 2027 gradually begins, the APC stands at a crossroads. It can either repeat the mistakes of the past, imposing candidates and deepening divisions or it can seize this opportunity to correct historical imbalances and restore confidence among its base.
The choice should be clear. Edo South deserves effective representation. Orhionmwon deserves inclusion. The APC deserves internal cohesion and electoral success. Aligning these interests is not only possible; it is imperative.
If democracy must truly serve the people, then justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. In 2027, justice demands that the Edo South Senatorial seat be ceded to Orhionmwon, represented by a candidate with genuine political clout, grassroots legitimacy, and unwavering commitment to service.
Anything less would be a disservice, not just to Orhionmwon, but to Edo South, the APC, and Nigeria’s democratic journey.
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Odaro, a columnist, lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
