“We are our own worst enemy”: Uwoghiren slams ethnic politics in Edo, backs Ogbeide-Ihama for Senate

An influential Benin son, Jefferson Uwoghiren, has slammed what he calls misleading narratives around Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama’s senatorial bid, saying Edo’s real problem isn’t outsiders but its own politicians.

Uwoghiren, Secretary General of the Benin Leaders Forum, said he isn’t aligned with any of the parties currently “at war” in Edo State. He said his focus is on competence, not party lines.

“It’s concerning to read a lot of misleading narratives about the senatorial bid of Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama,” Uwoghiren said. “Interested parties have chosen to paint unflattering murals of a simple ambition.”

He blamed what he called “fake facades of ethnicity” erected by overzealous politicians for holding Benin back.

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“Our political marginalisation is a product of poor selfish thinking by people who have no business with politics. People who think wisdom cometh by inheritance. Half educated miscreants with overblown sense of importance,” he said.

Uwoghiren also weighed in on the Wike controversy, arguing that the FCT Minister isn’t Edo’s enemy.

“Wike is not our problem. We are our worst enemy. Wike is merely reminding us to keep agreements we freely executed without compunction,” he said. He warned that breaking agreements is why some politicians are now in exile.

He praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for avoiding what he called “the heinous bullet of ingratitude” from some Edo South politicians.

On Ogbeide-Ihama, Uwoghiren said the former lawmaker is qualified to represent Benin “anywhere.”

“Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama is as qualified as any freeborn Benin to represent the interests of Benin Nation anywhere. Edo eyuu ma,” he said.

The statement comes amid jostling for Edo’s Senate seat ahead of 2027.

■ Uwoghiren’s statement is published here under in extenso:

It’s concerning to read a lot of misleading narratives about the senatorial bid of Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama. This is because different interested parties have chosen to paint unflattering murals of a simple ambition and of the surrounding upshots. For any who may appear concerned, I’m not a member of any of the political parties currently at war in Edo State.

I’m simply ok and contented as Hon. Secretary General, Benin Leaders Forum, limiting my views and participation in who political parties choose as their candidates. However, it’s incumbent that we deconstruct the fake facades of ethnicity being erected by some overzealous politicians and address the issues of competence, compassion, and commitment required to represent the great people of Benin

. Contrary to the vuvuzela cries of some political contractors, our political marginalisation is a product of poor selfish thinking by people who have no business with politics. People who think wisdom cometh by inheritance. Half educated miscreants with overblown sense of importance.

The consequences of their actions are visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. From eating in Igiogbe, we now fight over okhogbo! It’s this blighty vision of what is right and wrong and of where rain started to beat us that is making us blame outsiders for our deliberate wickedness and opaque politics.

For all that may appear concerned, Wike is not our enemy or our problem. We are our worst enemy. Wike is merely reminding us to keep agreements we freely executed without compunction. If not evil and wickedness, why take advantage of an agreement and deny the responsibility thereof? The consequences of previous abnagation are the proximate cause of exiles for many today.

History hasn’t forgiven all who allowed thunder to strike twice in the same location. I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for dodging the heinous bullet of ingratitude that is the weapon of some Edo South politicians. Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide Ihama is as qualified as any freeborn Benin to represent the interests of Benin Nation anywhere. Edo eyuu ma.

■ Jefferson Uwoghiren Esq