Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a Benin-based socio-political group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to desist from interfering in the politics of Edo South Senatorial District.

The group issued the warning on Wednesday in reaction to what it described as attempts to impose a senatorial candidate on the district, allegedly through external political influence.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr Iyamu Osaro, and Assistant Secretary, Mr Ewere Uhunoma, the movement expressed strong opposition to the reported senatorial ambition of a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, whom it alleged had been pencilled down as the Edo South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group claimed that the alleged arrangement was brokered by Wike ahead of the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State, purportedly in exchange for the support of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the election.

According to the statement, Ogbeide-Ihama’s political antecedents disqualify him from adequately representing the interests of the Benin people at the Senate.

The group recalled that Ogbeide-Ihama openly supported the re-election bid of former Governor Godwin Obaseki in the 2020 governorship election, despite what it described as Obaseki’s “anti-people and anti-palace tendencies.”

It said this action, particularly at a time when Ogbeide-Ihama had his own governorship ambition, was widely perceived in Edo South as a betrayal of trust.

“Let it be clearly stated that Edo South will not accept skewed political arrangements or compensation politics disguised as representation,” the statement read.

The movement further accused Ogbeide-Ihama of failing to take a clear position during controversies surrounding the custody and ownership of returned stolen Benin artefacts, an issue it described as critical to the cultural identity and heritage of the Benin people.

The group alleged that Wike was actively projecting Ogbeide-Ihama for the senatorial seat, insisting that the FCT minister lacked the moral and political authority to impose a candidate on Edo South.

“Edo South is not a political field for external experimentation,” the statement added, warning Wike to stay out of the district’s internal political affairs.

It also stressed that the Edo South senatorial seat must not be reduced to a “consolation prize or political compensation,” but should be contested and earned by individuals with proven commitment to justice, accountability, cultural respect and genuine service to the people.

The group concluded by urging Wike, Ogbeide-Ihama and all those promoting his candidacy to abandon what it described as an imposition agenda, warning that any attempt to foist an “unfit candidate” on Edo South would be strongly resisted.

“Edo South is politically conscious, historically grounded and resolute. Any attempt to impose an unacceptable candidate will fail,” the statement said.