BENIN CITY — Distinguished Senator Roland Stephen Owie, the pioneer Senate Chief Whip of the Fourth Republic, has expressed strong concerns over the perceived exclusion of Edo South Senatorial District from the recent ambassadorial nominations by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
In a statement released on Thursday and made available to _StandardDailyPress_, Senator Owie called on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Edo South to immediately “wake up” and take the matter up with the President to ensure equity and representation for the region.
A Historical Precedent of Sacrifice
Drawing from his own political history, Senator Owie recounted a significant intervention during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He revealed that when his brother, Dr. Ebima Ogbeide, was originally submitted as the ambassadorial nominee for Edo South, he personally approached President Obasanjo to request a change.
”I went to H.E. Obasanjo to plead with him to submit the name of Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, now His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II,” Owie stated. “The President was kind enough to send the Prince’s name to the Senate. In the end, the Senate cleared Prince Eheneden and rejected Dr. Ebima Ogbeide.”
The Senator used this anecdote to illustrate that leadership requires proactive engagement and, at times, personal sacrifice to ensure the right representatives are positioned to serve the interest of the state and the traditional institution.
A Call for Justice and Biblical Mandate
Senator Owie, who served in the House of Representatives (UPN) from 1979–1983 and as Senate Chief Whip (PDP) from 1999–2003, anchored his plea on spiritual and moral grounds. Quoting Proverbs 31:8, he reminded current political leaders of their duty:
“Speak up for the people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.”
He further cautioned the APC leadership and the Presidency that regional stability is tied to fairness, stating:
“Where there is no justice, there cannot be peace.”
The Veteran’s Charge
Now a member of the African Democratic Convergence (ADC) and a Patron of the World Apostolate of Fatima, Senator Owie urged the current crop of Edo South APC leaders to “do the needful” by ensuring the district is not sidelined in the distribution of national honors and diplomatic roles.
