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In every political generation there comes a time when conversations about leadership, succession, influence, political and regional balance begin to dominate public discourse. Edo State, with its rich political history, sophistication and cultural identity, is currently experiencing one such moment. However, beyond the emotions, alignments, assertiveness and partisan calculations that naturally accompany politics, there is a deeper issue that requires careful reflection: the need for fairness, comprehensiveness, coherence and mutual respect in how political actors and regional interests are engaged.
As a member of the APC and a political observer particularly in Edo State, one cannot ignore the growing narratives on the age, political relevance and continued participation of some leaders in Edo politics. However, it is equally important to caution against selective arguments that seem designed to target specific individuals while overlooking similar realities elsewhere within the same political structure.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at 63, remains one of the most experienced and recognizable political figures in Edo State, especially of the Bini lineage. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a grassroots politician with deep ties to communities, religious circles and party structures, which was deployed to help the governor emerge against all odds when he was a senator during gubernatorial primaries. Whether one agrees with his politics or not, his relevance in Edo’s political space cannot be denied. His decades of service, empowerment strategy, influence and political resilience continue to make him the subject of national and regional political conversations.
What makes the current debate particularly interesting is the apparent inconsistency in how party leaders discuss political age and retirement. Across Nigeria, there are numerous high-level political actors who remain actively involved in governance, decision-making, electoral strategy and legislative representation well into their seventies and beyond. Edo State itself is not exempt from this reality.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, now 74, remains one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures. His continued presence in active politics demonstrates that political participation is not determined solely by age but by relevance, political energy, experience, strategic value and the support base a leader has. In democratic societies, citizens reserve the right to renew or withdraw that trust through elections and public engagement.
This naturally raises a fundamental question: if age is to become the central criterion for political retirement, shouldn’t that principle apply universally and consistently to all political actors, regardless of region, influence or affiliation? It becomes difficult to justify a situation in which one leader is constantly reminded of his age while others, significantly older, continue to enjoy broad political acceptance and institutional accommodation.
This is exactly why many neutral observers believe that the debate should evolve beyond personalities and instead focus on competence, leadership capacity, political vision and the ability to mobilize development for the people. Democracy works best when political actors are evaluated through objective standards rather than selective narratives driven by convenience or factional interests.
More importantly, the dialogue must avoid degenerating into regional antagonism. Edo State is a delicate political and cultural ecosystem built on the mutual coexistence of Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North. Each region brings with it its own historical significance, political contributions and cultural pride. Attempts to belittle or ridicule leaders in a particular area can easily create perceptions of exclusion, disrespect, or coordinated marginalization.
This concern is particularly felt among many Bini, who historically consider themselves a people deeply rooted in diplomacy, intellectual sophistication, political consciousness and the art of government. Bini political culture has traditionally emphasized strategic thinking over emotional confrontation, calculated commitment over reckless aggression, and long-term influence over impulsive reactions. It is therefore understandable why many within Edo South may perceive the repeated attacks against some of their leading political figures as unnecessary provocations rather than constructive democratic criticism.
There is a growing feeling in some quarters that the political establishment should be careful not to push Bini’s political conscience into a defensive position. While the Bini are widely considered easy-going and politically sophisticated, history has also shown that they possess a strong capacity for collective political mobilization whenever they perceive threats to their identity, influence, or leadership relevance.
The danger in modern politics often lies not in open disagreement but in accumulated resentment. Political contempt, repeated public ridicule, and perceptions of unequal treatment can gradually create fertile ground for regional solidarity movements. Such developments are rarely healthy for political stability, especially in a state where balance and cooperation between senatorial districts remain critical to long-term peace and development.
There are already subtle signs that some political stakeholders in Edo South believe their patience and restraint is being mistaken for weakness. The sense that some leaders in the region are unfairly targeted while others are protected could ultimately inspire stronger political realignments ahead of future election cycles, particularly as the state heads into the 2028 political season.
For Governor Monday Okpebholo and other political leaders across the State, this moment calls for careful political management rather than triumphalism. Political victories are temporary, but political relationships and regional trust are long-term assets that must be protected. Any perception that a region is being politically diminished or strategically sidelined could produce unintended consequences that could reshape future electoral calculations in Edo State.
It is also important to note that leadership within Bini’s political structure cannot simply be imposed from outside or supported through transactional alliances. The Bini have historically been politically independent and highly aware of the authenticity of leadership. This explains why some political observers remain skeptical of individuals perceived as lacking grassroots organic legitimacy within Edo South, regardless of their alliances or external support structures.
At the same time, moderation remains essential. Political discourse should not result in hostility, inflammatory rhetoric, or threats of domination. Edo State has made political progress because, despite disagreements, there has always been an underlying recognition that no single region can govern sustainably in isolation from others. Political cooperation remains the foundation of the Edo project.
The solution therefore lies not in provocation or retaliation, but in mutual respect, strategic commitment and political inclusion. Leaders of all senatorial districts must recognize the importance of language, symbolism, and perception in maintaining political harmony. Public comments should strengthen democratic participation, not deepen regional anxieties or widen existing fault lines.
Ultimately, democracy is designed to allow the people themselves to determine who remains politically relevant. Neither age nor media narratives alone can send a politician into retirement. Political relevance is supported by influence, public support, electoral vitality and the ability to stay in touch with people’s aspirations. Once these elements disappear, politics naturally evolves and new leaders emerge.
Until then, all political actors deserve equal standards of evaluation and commitment.
Edo State is at an important political crossroads. The choices made now – in rhetoric, strategy and leadership conduct – will set the tone of state policy for years to come. Wisdom therefore requires moderation, balance and fairness on all sides.
The Bini, like every other ethnic and regional bloc in Edo State, seek dignity, inclusion and respect within the larger political framework of the State. Their history, their contributions and their political sophistication are undeniable. But equally undeniable is the fact that Edo’s future can only be ensured through cooperation between all its component regions.
The politics of exclusion can produce temporary victories, but only the politics of inclusion can produce lasting stability.
Peace remains the most strategic path forward.
■ Nelson Ogbemudia, Ph.D. DBA, MBA, writes from Abuja.
