‘Unu’Norzedo’ Worldwide Knocks Oyegun, Igbinedion, Obaseki for Holding Sectional Edo South Meeting

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By Reporter

A group that calls itself, Edo South Interest Network, led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Governor Godwin Obaseki last Saturday came out with a communique, calling on Edo South to unite and chart a path to the region’s development.

The Saturday November 11, 2023 meeting was their third in series held at the residence of Chief Oyegun in Benin City.

But Unu’Norzedo Worldwide, the Pan-Benin Movement says Oyegun, Igbinedion and Obaseki have all failed in every aspect of leadership and warned that they can only be respected if they quietly take the back stage or “resisted to points of disgrace.”

In Unu’Norzedo Worldwide estimation, the conveners belong to “one generation of Governors with not much to show and must now give way for others to take their destinies in their hands.”

Part of the statement issued by the trio of Oyegun, Igbinedion and Obaseki at the end of yesterday’s meeting reads: “In a bid to foster unity and strategies for the sustainable development of Edo South Senatorial District, prominent leaders, and other stakeholders in the senatorial district converged on Benin City, the Edo State capital, to chart a course for the region’s advancement.

“The meeting was convened at the instance of a core group led by His Excellency, John Odigie-Oyegun with His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, Governor, Edo State and His Excellency, Lucky Igbinedion, as co-hosts.

“In attendance was an impressive cross-section of Edo-South sons and daughters from the public and private sectors, different professional and social backgrounds, and cutting across political divides.

“There was a consensus on the underlying objective to meaningfully interrogate, articulate, redefine, and refocus the collective interests of all the people who constitute the population of the Edo-South Senatorial District within the context of Nigeria’s prevailing political and economic realities.

“After exhaustive engaging and productive discussion of different perspectives to the stated objective, a number of resolutions were arrived at.

“It was resolved that a broad-based elite consensus be engendered to enable us strategically leverage on the competitive advantage of our demographic strength, and the unique creative and productive potentials of our people in order to reverse the progressively diminished relevance and influence of our people in all spheres – national and sub-national.

“It was further resolved that, in pursuit of our stated goals of seeking to effectively reposition the Edo-South Senatorial district for the critical challenges that lie ahead of our State and the nation, we must rise above political partisanship in all its ramifications. Our singular focus must be the interest of Edo-South.

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“Also resolved was the decision to engage, and where feasible, cooperate with other similar groups within and outside Edo State to the extent that such engagement results in the promotion of our stated objective.

The statement concluded that, “…as the platform for the aggregation of the interests of the Edo South Senatorial District, the meeting will be held on a regular basis.”

They listed the leaders that attended the meeting to include former Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, DIG Parry Osayande (Rtd), HRH Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Greg Akenzua, Dr. Tonnie Iredia, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, Sen. Neda Imasuen, Market Women Leader, Blacky Ogiamien, and Dr. Victor Enoghama.

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However, a pan-Benin group, “Unu’norzedo Wordwide’ has characterized the conveners of the Edo South Interest Network as pretenders and jokers, whose only interest is to satisfy their “vested interest.” The group’s position is contained in a widely circulated statement,

“How can Obaseki be co-hosting an event he has vested interest in. Is he a true Benin man? How has he shown he is a Benin man in the last seven years? He wants to railroad people to his concluded plans. Unfortunately, this is a failed attempt from day one.

“Not sure how much money two former Governors (Oyegun and Igbinedion) will need today that they will allow themselves to be dragged into this kangaro play in the name of Edo South interest.

“One wonders where H.E. Lucky Igbinedion and H.E Odigie Oyegun have been in the last seven years when H.E. Obaseki has not only demystified the Benins from our very revered Traditional Institutions to our Edo South Political Leaders, to our Benin youths and even the market women from Benin, but further impoverished the Benins

“They kept mute all these years, and now they have been funded on a mission. It is time to call meetings to help their paymaster. With very due respect, these men must stay away from such attempts. This is an opportunity they had and misused it.

“Let it be known and clear before their clandestine meetings that they have no moral justification to meet nor speak on behalf of the Benins or Edo South.

“Apparently, they have failed in every aspect of leadership and will be respected if they quietly take the back stage or resisted to points of disgrace if it happens otherwise.

“They all belong to one generation of Governors with not much to show and must now give way for others to take their destinies in their hands.

“The true Benins who care and appreciate themselves will soon be calling an Edo South meeting that will be all-encompassing, from ages 18-59 and Benin elders that have distinguished themselves in life for advise, guide and directions.

“At that submit, issues of mutual concerns as it relates to Edo South will be duly trashed with genuine resolution.” Comrade Idurobo Igbinadolor signed the statement for Unu’norzedo Worldwide.

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