Benin, Edo – In a fiery display of regional solidarity, Nigeria's House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously condemned a controversial proposal to carve out portions of Edo State for the creation of a new Toru-Be State, affirming that "Edo is not for sale."

The resolution, sparked by a motion of urgent public importance from Hon. Omosede Igbinedion (Ovia Northeast/Ovia Southwest), highlighted deep concerns over cultural erosion, historical claims, and massive economic losses tied to oil deposits in the affected areas.

"We reaffirm the commitment of the Edo people... to defend their land, heritage, and historical identity," she stated, emphasizing that no "individual, political caucus, or regional group" holds the authority to cede Edo lands without the people's consent and due constitutional process.

Flanked by her colleague, Hon. Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency), who co-sponsored the motion, Iyawe underscored the stakes: communities like Ughoton, Siluko, Udo, Ekewan, and Obazuwa are "pillars of our identity, deeply tied to the history, traditions, and authority of the Benin Kingdom."

He warned that relinquishing these areas—home to vast crude oil reserves—would devastate Edo's revenue generation, potentially fueling unrest and threatening national unity.

The proposed Toru-Be State, advocated by some Ijaw groups in the South-South geopolitical zone, aims to draw from parts of Delta, Bayelsa, and now controversially, Edo's Ovia and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas.

Proponents argue it would address marginalization and resource inequities in riverine communities, but Edo representatives view it as an overreach that disregards the Benin Kingdom's ancient sovereignty.

Igbinedion invoked the revered Oba of Benin, one of sub-Saharan Africa's most esteemed monarchs, noting that many coronation rites occur in these very communities, rendering any cession a "direct provocation."

The House's adoption of the motion was swift and resounding, with lawmakers from Edo's South Senatorial District leading the charge. Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha) echoed the sentiment, demanding that "relevant authorities, stakeholders, and representatives from the South-South zone respect established historical boundaries" to avoid "tension, discord, and unrest."

The resolution urges President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to outright reject any boundary alterations involving Edo territory.

Nigeria's push for new states dates back to military eras, but the current fervor stems from a 2018 constitutional amendment effort stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toru-Be, named after riverine locales, emerged as a pet project of Ijaw advocacy groups seeking autonomy from Delta and Bayelsa.

However, inklings of Edo inclusion framed as including "historically Ijaw-influenced" borderlands have ignited backlash. Critics, including Edo's federal lawmakers, argue it ignores the 1996 Supreme Court ruling on state boundaries and flouts Section 3 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires plebiscites for territorial changes.

For now, Edo's lawmakers stand firm: their ancestral soils, steeped in monarchy and black gold, remain untouchable.

As Igbinedion put it, "Edo land is not up for negotiation. We will not cede an inch."