Leaders and stakeholders in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State have renewed calls for equitable representation in the Edo South Senatorial District, lamenting that the council has not produced a senator since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
The demand was reinforced by the Fair Representation Initiative for Edo South (FRIES), a non-partisan policy and data group in a statement, which said its latest assessment highlights a longstanding imbalance in senatorial representation across the district.
In a statement issued and signed by its Executive Director, Scot Orobosa Onaiwu, and Director, Osarodion Ibizubge, the group noted that the exclusion of Orhionmwon from the Senate over the past 28 years underscores the need for deliberate political correction.
“Orhionmwon Local Government has not had the opportunity to produce a senator since 1999. This reality raises fundamental questions about fairness, inclusion, and balanced representation within Edo South,” the statement said.
FRIES stated that after reviewing aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections, it identified Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the preferred choice of stakeholders from the area, citing his political experience, grassroots reach, and perceived capacity to deliver purposeful leadership.
According to the group, “Ize-Iyamu’s emergence reflects both competence and a strategic opportunity to address historical imbalance. His engagement across the seven local government areas and his established political structure position him as a unifying figure for Edo South.”
The group added that Orhionmwon stakeholders believe his candidacy would not only give the council a long-awaited voice in the Senate but also strengthen development advocacy for the district.
“It is time for inclusion and effective representation. Supporting a candidate from Orhionmwon is not just symbolic; it is a step toward purposeful leadership and equitable governance,” FRIES stated.
