Constitutional Supremacy, Inclusion and the Future of Edo State: Reje Advocates Democratic Equality Over Ethnic Dominance
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi Media International Ltd
A respected Ijaw leader and public affairs commentator, High Chief David Reje, has called for renewed commitment to constitutional democracy, equal citizenship, and inclusive governance in Edo State, warning that any attempt to elevate traditional authority above the Constitution threatens both democracy and peaceful coexistence.
In a thought-provoking article titled “Constitutional Order, Multiculturalism, and the Burden of Inclusion in Edo State,” Reje argues that the Nigerian Constitution remains the supreme legal authority regulating governance and political power, while traditional institutions retain important cultural and advisory roles without sovereign governmental authority.
According to him, Edo State belongs equally to all its indigenous ethnic nationalities—including the Benin, Ijaw, Esan, Afemai, Akoko-Edo and other communities—and no historical institution or traditional throne can lawfully claim exclusive political ownership or constitutional supremacy over the state.
Reje noted that the 1999 Constitution clearly vests legislative powers in the Edo State House of Assembly, executive authority in the Governor, judicial powers in the courts, and democratic governance at the grassroots through elected local government councils. He maintained that these constitutional provisions leave no room for any hereditary institution to exercise sovereign governmental powers outside constitutional recognition.
Warning Against Exclusionary Narratives
The legal scholar further cautioned against public statements or narratives that portray other indigenous communities as subordinate or strangers within their ancestral territories.
According to him, reducing fellow indigenous ethnic groups to tenants or subjects contradicts democratic principles and weakens rather than strengthens traditional institutions.
He emphasized that the enduring respect enjoyed by traditional rulers comes from their cultural heritage, moral influence and historical significance—not from political coercion or constitutional authority.
Governor’s Constitutional Responsibility
Reje equally stressed that while traditional rulers have the responsibility of preserving culture and promoting harmony, the Governor of Edo State carries the constitutional obligation to govern all citizens fairly, irrespective of ethnic origin.
He argued that any perception of governmental bias or surrender of constitutional authority to extra-constitutional actors would undermine public confidence in democratic governance and violate the Governor’s constitutional oath of office.
Land Ownership and Indigenous Rights
Addressing recurring debates over land ownership and identity, Reje observed that the economic strength of Edo State is largely sustained by the contributions and natural resources found across several indigenous communities, including the Ijaw areas.
He explained that under the Land Use Act, land is held in trust by the Governor for the benefit of all citizens while customary rights of occupancy remain protected within ancestral communities.
Consequently, he maintained that indigenous Ijaw communities occupy their ancestral lands by historical entitlement rather than by the permission of any other ethnic nationality.
Multiculturalism as Edo’s Greatest Strength
The article further describes Edo State as a multicultural society whose peace and prosperity depend on mutual respect rather than ethnic superiority.
Reje insisted that constitutional provisions promoting equality, non-discrimination and national integration should guide public policy and inter-ethnic relations.
He argued that sustainable peace can only flourish where governance reflects demographic realities, institutional fairness and equal opportunities for every community to participate in public affairs.
Call for Constitutional Remedies
While reaffirming respect for traditional institutions, Reje maintained that communities who feel marginalized retain every democratic right to seek constitutional interpretation through the courts.
He observed that constitutional litigation should never be viewed as hostility toward culture or monarchy but rather as a lawful means of protecting citizens’ rights and preserving constitutional order.
He also suggested that where objective demographic evidence supports persistent under-representation, constitutional ward or constituency delineation could serve as a legitimate democratic mechanism for strengthening political inclusion, particularly for the five Ijaw Kingdoms in Edo State.
A Vision for a United Edo
Reje concluded that the future stability and prosperity of Edo State depend on recognising every indigenous community as an equal stakeholder in the state’s development.
According to him, the Constitution neither abolishes tradition nor diminishes cultural institutions. Instead, it provides the legal framework within which every community can coexist peacefully, enjoy equal citizenship, and contribute to the progress of the state.
He urged political leaders, traditional institutions and citizens alike to embrace constitutional fidelity, justice, inclusion and mutual respect as the only enduring foundation for a united and prosperous Edo State.
Source: Original article by High Chief David Imole Reje
Report Compiled By: Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi Media International Ltd
https://globalegberi.com.n
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