Reported by: L. Imafidon| Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has formally condemned efforts to carve out parts of Edo State for the creation of a new entity called Toru‑Be State, declaring that no individual political caucus or ethnic group has the power to redraw state boundaries outside the constitutional amending process. The motion, brought forward by the Edo‑State lawmaker representing the Ovia Northeast/Ovia Southwest federal constituency, highlighted the deep historical and cultural significance of the affected local government areas — including Ovia and Ikpoba‑Okha — for the people of Edo and the ancient Benin Kingdom.
According to the motion, communities such as Ughoton, Siloko, Aghamioba, Udo (Okomu), Obazuwa, Ekewan, Ikoro, Ologbo, and riverine settlements would be subsumed under Toru‑Be. The lawmaker argued this would erode the identity, heritage, and ancestral rights of Edo people, undermining centuries of tradition carried through generations. The House stressed that any attempt at state creation must follow constitutional procedures and broad consensus, including public hearings, majority legislative approval, and respect for existing state boundaries.
Support for the House’s resolution has come from traditional institutions. The monarch of Benin Kingdom, the Oba of Benin, recently declared that Edo land remains indivisible, rejecting any proposal to cede territory. He affirmed that Edo’s territorial integrity is non‑negotiable and pledged support for efforts to protect existing boundaries.
Beyond the political implications, many in Edo view the Toru‑Be proposal as a direct challenge to their collective identity and history. Supporters of the new state say it would offer the ethnic group behind the bid — the Ijaw people — greater political representation and a platform to address historic marginalisation. However, opponents argue that the plan ignores the rights of other ethnic groups who already reside in the territories earmarked for Toru‑Be, and risks inflaming ethnic tensions.
As the debate unfolds, the House has mandated its Constitution Review and Inter‑Governmental Affairs Committee to investigate the matter thoroughly, engage broad stakeholders, and ensure any future proposals respect legal, cultural and historical realities. For now, the message is clear: Edo remains one, and any effort to divide its land must reckon with more than just political demand.
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