The report of an epic struggle 

H/E Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

The President of the Senate

The Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives

H/E Godwin N. Obaseki – Edo State Governor

His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin

The BRACED Commission Council

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs

All former Governors of Edo State

Chief S. U. Igbe – the Iyase of Benin

Chief Sir G. O. Igbinedion – the Esama of Benin Trustees, Patrons, and Members of the BNC Dr. Steven Oronsaye CFR

Hon. Justice Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo JSC (Rtd.) High Priest Osemwengie Ebohon

Princess (Dr.) Amb. Mrs. R. U Osula Mku-Atu JP AmbP.UN. Chairman/Members, House of Reps Public Petitions Committee

All National Assembly members from Edo State Eminent Benins at home and abroad

Very distinguished press.

Your Excellency/ Majesty/Sir/Ma.

The report of an epic struggle to justly draw the attention of Nigerians to the unprecedented marginalization of the oil and gas producing communities of the Benin nation (Edo South Senatorial District) from the 2024 capital projects of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry – painstakingly led by the Benin National Congress worldwide, 20th April 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Sequel to the publication of the 2024 Appropriation Act, the Benin National Congress and other Progressive forces of Benin Nation discovered to their shock that the appropriation was scripted deliberately, not only to deny Benin Oil Communities of their natural entitlements, but more particularly to spite and/or sideline the collective intelligence and sensibilities of our people, culture and heritage. Consequently, the BNC addressed a private letter to His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo – Oba Ewuare II CFR OGIDIGAN on what we considered as a monumental error by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. And on 24th January, the BNC addressed a protest letter to H/E Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki – chairman, the BRACED Commission Council.

Predictably however, there has been a spontaneous response; more like a re-enactment of the historical exploits of our forebears against thievery, exploitation and/or any semblance of oppression. The Benin nation guides its dignity jealously and intolerable of any act calculated to tarnish or undermine her land and people.

1. RALLYING OF FORCES

The BNC leading the pack immediately launched a “war of letters” to relevant institutions, authorities and persons. There were concomitant barrage of press statements and/or conference to sensitize the public of the brazen deployment of executive and legislative powers to take away a people’s birth right.

Our protest attained the desired attention when it hit the floor of the House of Representatives, which eventually committed it to its Public Petitions Committee based on its acclaimed merits.

2. PRESENTATION BEFORE THE PUBLIC PETITION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

On the shifting of battle to the National Assembly – following the presentation of the BNC ‘s petition by Hon. Murphy Omoruyi (Member, representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency) on the 8th of February 2024- a team of the BNC interfaced with the House of Reps. Public Petitions Committee on 7th March and 18th April respectively. The team was made up of Benin sons; included:

1. Amb. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo – President, BNC

2. Hon. Osaze Osemwengie-Ero – Chairman, Contacts and Mobilization Committee, BNC

3. Chief Owen Chamberlain Obaseki, Secretary, Board of Trustees, BNC

4. Hon. Victor Ekhator – Enobore-Oba

5. Comrade Maxwell Uwuilekhue-Uwagboe – Secretary General, BNC

6. Hon. (Barr.) Ogierhiakhi F. Osakpanmwan

7. Comrade Osahon Okoro-Obaraye – Director, Youth Affairs Directorate, BNC.

8. Comrade Andrew Oyegue – Chairman, HOSTCOM On the two (2) sitting days being 7th March, 2024 and 18th April, 2024 for the hearing of our petition, the BNC was present, but Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs was absent and was not represented. It is however not our lot to enforce the summons of the National Assembly. If the National Assembly cannot contend for itself nor defend its honour; so be it!

3. HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR CASE BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE

 (i) That Edo South Senatorial District account for 100% of the crude oil/gas from Edo State.

(ii) That Edo South Senatorial District is the reason for crude Oil/Gas special benefits whatsoever and however accorded to Edo State.

(iii) That Edo State, other than by Geography, a focal State of the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs because of the crude oil/natural gas in Edo South Senatorial District (Benin Land).

(iv). That the appointment of Mr. Abubakar Momoh as Niger Delta Affairs Minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is directly proportional to the ‘grace’ of the oil and gas producing potentials of Edo South Senatorial District – being the oily senatorial district with oil and gas in Edo State. And it is noteworthy to underline, that we bear no grudge against the Minister over President’s exercise of his prerogative.

(v) That Edo South Senatorial District must take priority over and above the other two (2) Senatorial Districts of Central and North in terms of benefits accruing and/or deriving from crude oil/natural gas production.

(vi) That is was criminal to appropriate for capital projects of the ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs with virtually 95% (Ninety Five Per Cent) of the projects to be located in oil-dry Estako Land.

4. OUTCOME

It should be said that the HOR/PPC agreed with our position whole heartedly with commitment not only to avoid a repeat of the scandalous show of primordial ethnic bias of the current Minister, Abubakar in the said appropriation, but to ensure that adequate compensation is accorded BENIN LAND and/or oil/gas Communities for the deprivation wrought on the region in the 2024 budget. As an organization, we find this recommendation by the PPC merely sanctimonious, patronizing and a scratch on the surface of the minister’s indiscretion. To that extent, our stand is to escalate this matter until every strand of benefit connected with oil production; including appointments are appropriated to Benin oil producing communities; as of right!

5. GOING FORWARD

We are indebted to the past and the future in this historical task to be vigilant and relentless in the matters pertaining the protection of our patrimony.

We are strengthened by the knowledge of the fact of history that nations or powers that have attempted the snobbery of Benin nation do so with eternal regret.

Thank You.

Oba ghator Kpere.