Paddy Iyamu, former Edo State commissioner for education and All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat, has rejected allegations linking him to agitations for the creation of the proposed Toru Ebe and Anioma states. The accusations emerged after the Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, a socio-cultural group, named Iyamu and Ndidi Aghimien as figures associated with the state creation campaign during a press conference on Monday. The group's president, Iyamu Osaro, known as Culture, urged APC leaders in Oredo and Orhionmwon local government areas to deny party tickets to such aspirants, calling the proposed states a threat to Edo's territorial integrity. In a statement on Tuesday, Iyamu dismissed the claims as "reckless, baseless and politically motivated." He denied any support for the proposed states, calling the allegations false and laughable. Iyamu insisted he has never aligned with any agenda that undermines the Benin nation. He clarified that his mother is not of Ijaw origin and reaffirmed his collaboration with Omosede Igbinedion and Billy Osawaru, serving House of Representatives member, in promoting Benin interests. A businessman with experience in banking and oil and gas, Iyamu attributed the attacks to desperation, citing his growing popularity. He warned that he would pursue legal action over defamatory statements.
Paddy Iyamu's swift and detailed rebuttal reveals how sensitive the issue of state creation has become in Edo politics, especially when ethnic identity and political ambition intersect. By naming Culture and directly challenging the narrative from the Aiguobasinmwin Movement, Iyamu is not just defending his reputation—he is resisting a label that could fracture his support base in Oredo, where Benin identity is a powerful political currency.
The controversy underscores the unspoken tensions around belonging and indigeneity in Edo State, particularly as sub-regional agitations gain traction. The mere suggestion of Iyamu's involvement in the Toru Ebe and Anioma campaigns—neither of which has gained federal traction—was enough to trigger a backlash, revealing how political actors weaponize unity rhetoric during election seasons. That Iyamu felt compelled to clarify his mother's ethnic background shows how deeply personal these political attacks have become.
For residents of Oredo and beyond, this episode signals that aspirants' loyalty to the Benin nation will be rigorously policed, not just by rivals but by cultural gatekeepers. Voters may now scrutinize candidates' lineage and affiliations more than their policy plans.
This is not an isolated dispute. It mirrors a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where socio-cultural groups act as moral arbiters, shaping candidate viability through public endorsements or condemnations—often without evidence, but always with consequence.
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