By Henry Obetta

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, have urged Governor Monday Okpebolo to intervene in what they described as a prolonged political imbalance in the State House of Assembly representation.

In a protest letter addressed to the governor, the party leaders called for the immediate zoning of the Assembly seat to Ibie Zone, warning against what they termed the continued dominance of Agenebode in the constituency’s representation for nearly two decades.

The stakeholders argued that allowing the incumbent lawmaker from Agenebode to seek a fourth term would extend the zone’s hold on the seat to 24 years, a development they described as unjust and politically unhealthy.

They stated “Our leader and brother, Mr. Peter Aliu, served two tenures totaling eight years, while Mr. Kingsley Ugabi has completed three tenures, amounting to 12 years. This brings Agenebode’s total representation to 20 years,”

“If the incumbent is allowed to return for a fourth term, it will mean one zone alone has produced the House of Assembly member for 24 years. Are other zones slaves? Do they only exist to serve Agenebode?” they added

The group further noted that Agenebode currently holds both the House of Assembly seat and the chairmanship of the local government, while Okpella has representation at the federal level, leaving Ibie Zone politically marginalized.

“Ibie Zone has been the most deprived in Etsako East since the advent of democracy,” they said, insisting that equitable power rotation remains key to political stability.

The letter, signed by APC stalwart Benjamin Atu, emphasized the need for fairness and justice in political representation.

“Power, no matter how absolute, loses its legitimacy the moment it abandons fairness. Behind every crisis is injustice. The governor must act now and demonstrate that he stands for fairness and social justice,” Atu said.

He further warned that the party risks electoral backlash if the current arrangement is sustained.

He said “Our party may not survive the suffocating voting environment in the forthcoming elections if Agenebode is allowed to continue for a fourth term. The electorate is determined to use their votes to correct this political imbalance,”

The stakeholders maintained that no zone should dominate political offices beyond two tenures, urging the governor to enforce zoning in the interest of equity and unity within the constituency.