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Re: The making of the Edo Nation By
The article The making_of_the_edo_nation posted by one Osilama Osime, has caught my attention. While the author is perfectly free to hold his opinions, he is not free to propagate falsehoods. To start with, there is nothing false about the homogeneity of the Edo peoples. This homogeneity has been noted by foreigners and Nigerians alike. Their life cycles, dialects and culture are as close or closer than other multi-clan ethnic groups in Nigeria like the Igbos and Yorubas whose geographic areas are supposed to be inhabited by a 'homogenous' ethnic group. Among the Yoruba, there are Ijebus, Egbas, Ekitis, etc... each with its own dialect, some of which are unintelligible to others. But they are all 'Yoruba'. Among Igbos, differences in dialects also exist. However, all accept their Igboness. Among Ijaws there are dialects. Among Urhobos there are dialects. It is true that the words "Edo" and "Bini" can sometimes be synonymous, but they are certainly not inherently co-equal in extent. If the author is bothered about the term "Edo" encompassing the Edo speaking peoples of the State, he needs to start first from his own village or clan and question his own traditional and modern leaders who signed on to the Edo State concept after it was endorsed by traditional rulers from across the state. It was not forced on them. Edo State was in many ways a State by default - and the drive to create it arose when it became obvious that others were serious about leaving. In fact many Binis opposed the splitting of Bendel - which came about predominantly because we were being cheated (as a state) at federal level based on quotas. One is not more comfortable in Edo than one was in Bendel, but one is certainly more comfortable than one was in the Western region. Oppressing so called minorities of Edo State is not essential to the quality of life of a Bini man or woman. In fact most Binis feel oppressed by non-Binis. The word "Edo" exists in almost all dialects in Edo State. If Osilama Osime is bothered by the Bini connection, he needs to ask his own people - whom he does not consider to be Edos - to separate out those who came from Benin (aka Idu) from those who did not. Those who have no tradition of origin from Benin or who hate the Binis so much that they want to leave Edo State are free to chart an independent course. The world will move on. Binis - and those who cherish their links with us - will survive. Mr. Osilama Osime goes on to say that 'during the second republic (1979-1983), associations of Edo people, for example N'edo gha ma and prominent individual Edo persons made sure the non-Edo civilian governor of then Bendel state had a rough ride. The re-election of this professor of pathology for a second term was vehemently opposed in 1983, not for his non-performance but that a non-Edo could not rule from Benin. Lest we forget, Professor Ambrose Alli, bless his humble soul, was Esan'. This comment betrays the depth to which Mr. "Osilama Osime"'s anti-Bini antipathies have clouded reason. In Nigeria, Edo State (and former Bendel) has a solid track record of non-native Governors all of whom came to violate our women and loot our treasury. Coming closer to home, what stopped Binis from preventing Alli from being elected in 1979 if a non-Edo 'cannot rule from Benin'? Did he not win in all Bini precincts? Osilama Osime conveniently has blinders for this obvious fact. Being respectful of customs, Alli shaved his head during the funeral ceremonies for the late Oba Akenzua and played up his Edo speaking credentials as a member of the Edo family in the run-up to the 1979 elections. But no sooner had he reached office than he came under pressure from Bini haters from the Osilama school of thought whose agendas were different. Active efforts were made to discourage the teaching of Edo in schools right inside Benin City. Going to great lengths to undermine the cohesiveness of the Edo people, Radio and TV news which used to be delivered in one Edo dialect - for many decades - became a potpourri of dialects. He tried to create a new Ijaw Kingdom on historic Bini land. He went on to demonstrate shameless clannishness by citing the Bendel State University in his own village. To this day the Edo State component of that institution is still a single campus institution - located in Esan - with practically all junior and intermediate staff being Esan. Osilama Osime sees nothing wrong with this arrangement. (The Delta state component of former BENSU has since been split along the lines of that state's senatorial districts). What finished Alli politically in 1983 was that a growing number of Bendelites were concerned with his opposition politics setting the state against the federal government. Many feared that the agenda of the Yorubas under Awolowo was such that we as a minority UPN state were being dragged into a fight that was not ours. To remove Alli, the dynamic ex-Governor of the State, Samuel Ogbemudia was drafted out of retirement and urged to run on the platform of the NPN. Ogbemudia beat Alli - after first overcoming a late internal NPN challenge from Ibru - his friend. When Ogbemudia beat Alli, he beat him solidly in most parts of the State - including that part which is now Delta. He also beat him in Agbazilo area of Esan land and most parts of Edo North. In case Osilama Osime has forgotten, the then Chairman of the NPN was none other than Tony Anenih - our current Works Minister. And in case Osilama Osime has forgotten, Anenih is Esan. But in Osilama Osime's mind, the Binis are to blame - even though Binis could not have electorally imposed any leader on Bendel State without support from elsewhere. How could they? In Bendel, there were Binis, Esans, Owans, Akoko-Edos, Etsakos, Urhobos, Itsekiris, Isokos, Aniomas, Ikas, Ukwuanis and Ijaws. How could Binis have removed Alli alone? This is a pathetic and unwarranted accusation. [To forestall a predictable future Osime article on present Governor Igbinedion's renomination for a second term, he may want to know that the strongman of Edo politics, Tony Anenih - from Esan - has endorsed him publicly. Do not blame Binis.] I might add that when in 1984, Alli later got into trouble with General Buhari's regime, most of his Esan sycophants and advisers abandoned him. He was helped financially by Chief Igbinedion - a Benin Chief. In his waning days in hospital he was quoted as regretting many of the actions he took as Governor. Osilama Osime continues: "Less than a decade ago, the people of the Afemai and Esanland actually decided to constitute a separate state in reaction to this obvious discrimination from the Edos." Let Osilama Osime know that one is not opposed to more states for Edo people if it will bring more progress and development, as long it does not breach security considerations. It is true that there was a proposal for such a state - although one doubts the motive was so called Edo discrimination. Osilama Osime is being economical with the truth if he fails to acknowledge that the failure of that initiative came from within the Esan-Afemai axis. First the Esan agitators wanted the capital of the new Afemesan state - while the Afemais felt that that desire was unacceptable. Secondly, certain very prominent sons of Esan (and Afemai) opposed the separation from Binis - citing tradition and historical ties. Binis did not take to the streets to demonstrate against Afemesan State. Osilama Osime continues: "The orchestration of the shared common ancestry for the people of Edo State seems to smell of a hidden agenda - imperialistic hegemony." But the curious thing is that the leader of the Edo Okpamakhin movement is Chief Anthony Enahoro. In case Osilama Osime has forgotten, Enahoro is Esan. Is Enahoro an agent of Bini hegemony? Is this not the same Chief Enahoro who - upon his return from the USA - accused the Oba of Benin of unseriousness in mobilizing Edos as one people? It would seem that the Oba (whose mother is Esan I might add) is damned if he does and damned if he does not. This same Enahoro has recently moved on to hold talks with leaders of the Midwest as a whole to rekindle the historic ties in the region as a basis for political leverage. Is he acting on behalf of Binis? At the beginning of this year, Admiral Aikhomu, speaking at the Oba's palace, described attending the Igue festival in Benin as akin to going to Mecca. In case Osilama Osime has forgotten, the Admiral is Esan. He has lived safely in Benin City ever since his house in Esan was burnt. Osilama Osime goes on: "When in 1963 a larger conglomeration of minority ethnic groups succeeded through a referendum and an Act of Parliament to create Nigeria's fourth region - Midwest region, later Bendel state, any past association with an Edo empire was least in consideration among the factor that propelled the people to their goal." This comment indicates that Mr. Osilama Osime is unfamiliar with the history of his own people and even less so the history of the Midwest movement. I refer him to Ajayi's account of the history of Modern Nigeria. Aside from deep unhappiness with the Yoruba politics of the Western Region, the glue that bound Benin and to a large extent Delta Province together WAS the depth of historical and cultural ties. Does Osilama Osime realize that most dialects in the region share at least 40% of their vocabulary? Does Osime know how Benin-City came to be the capital? Did Binis force it on any one? Why did Oba Akenzua give up the Governorship to Jereton Mariere? Try comparing how Benin and Asaba became state capitals. One was by ancestral commonality, negotiation and compromise. The other by military fiat. Osilama Osime goes on: "I do not intend to enumerate an endless list of how the minority ethnic groups in Edo State have forever being marginalized." On the contrary Osime should have enumerated the list of State investments since 1963 in every area for our enlightenment. I guess what he means by marginalization includes Auchi Polytechnic, Ojirami Dam, Afuze Sports Village, Edo State (now Ambrose Alli) University, massive investments in agricultural farms (rice, piggeries etc...), hospitals, rural electrification, etc... made over the years. The best inter-city road network in the State is in Edo Central and North. These oppressed non-Bini minority groups - as Osime describes them - have since 1960 produced two Vice Presidents of Nigeria, one Foreign Minister, at least 5 other Federal Ministers/Special Advisers of various ministries (including Oil), two Naval chiefs, several Army GOCs, at least one Deputy Inspector General of Police, numerous Commissioners of Police, many Federal Perm Secs, many State Perm Secs, two State Governors of the old Bendel, several Heads of Service since 1963, most Chief Judges, all Speakers of the State House of Assembly, most teachers in the state etc... The funny thing is that many Binis feel they are being marginalized in Edo State. Lest we forget most people who claim Oredo local government as their LGA are not necessarily Binis. Because the capital Benin City is in "Bini area" it has become a form of blackmail against Binis. When the state government is citing projects it equates a project in the capital as a project for the Binis - even though the choiciest real estate and property in the capital is owned by non-Binis - many of whom do not pay local taxes. Recently, the best and most prestigious roads in GRA Benin City have nearly all been named after Esans (Osime's people). The State House of Assembly is named after an Esan politician who was ambivalent over the creation of the Midwest in 1963. The address of the Government House is on Osadebay Avenue in honor of our first Regional Premier who was from Asaba. Can Osime identify how many roads and buildings are named after great first republic Bini political leaders like H Omo-Osagie, Senator Dalton Asemota etc..? When are these men going to be honored? These are the men who answered the call of duty when it mattered. Meanwhile 'low class' indigenous Bini areas - inside and outside the capital are consistently ignored. Osime should visit Urhonigbe or Ehor or Ologbo or Iguobazuwa or Udo and many other Bini villages. It is a depressing picture of poverty and neglect beyond description. If that is what hegemony or imperialism brings, then I must be Walt Disney! Binis are underrepresented in the State and Federal Houses of Representatives and the Federal Senate. They command 55-60% of the general population of Edo State but have 33% of the representatives. They have 55-60% of the population but are allowed access to only one third of Edo State opportunities at federal level like civil service and military jobs. [Even this is worse than it appears. Recently, it was revealed that one-third of junior jobs in Federal Establishments in the State are populated by indigenes of other states.] The implication of the legislative underrepresentation of Binis is that an individual Bini man or woman, is considered less than a whole human being. We are sub-human - unlike the Esans and others who are favored by this arrangement. In this scenario, having cornered Binis into a situation of legislative underrepresentation, all that is left for the Osilamas of this world is to blackmail them into giving up the Governorship so that the subjugation of Binis will be complete. Dr. Osime knows when to preach equality - only if it benefits his clan. But he dislikes universal adult suffrage - the basis of modern democracy. We agree with Osilama Osime that there should be "equal opportunity, equal access and equal distribution" in Edo State. This equality, however, should be for individuals and villages across all social classes and clans. After all the village has always been the basic political unit of our traditional system. And individuals are the basic unit of a modern democracy based on universal adult suffrage. We might add too that when we say "equality" what we mean is equitability. In conclusion, my parting brotherly advice to Osilama Osime is that he cannot unmake the Edo nation. He needs to tone down his anti-Bini rhetoric. Binis will forever cherish their heritage and ties with their non Bini Edo brethren and are willing to die for it - as long as our gesture is reciprocated. I agree with those who say we Edos are one people; one nationality with one destiny. However, mischief makers should not misread this orientation for naiveté, weakness or dependence. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Uyi Ikponmwen Salt Lake City, UT
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