Former senator, Ehigie Edobor Uzamere, has condemned the alleged public humiliation of former Edo governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, describing the incident as an affront to the dignity and cultural values of the Benin people.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Uzamere said he was deeply disturbed after watching a video clip in which three young men allegedly attempted to humiliate Ize-Iyamu, whom he described as a respected son of the Benin Kingdom with a noble family heritage.
According to him, the incident transcends partisan politics and touches on the collective identity, honour and values of the Benin people.
“What I saw was deeply disturbing and painful. To me, this is not merely about the humiliation of one man. It is about the humiliation of the Benin people and the values we represent,” Uzamere stated.
He noted that although he initially refrained from commenting because he considered it an internal political party issue, he later concluded that the matter required broader public concern because of its implications for respect and social conduct within the Benin community.
Uzamere stressed that while political disagreements are inevitable, they should never degenerate into acts of intimidation, disrespect or public embarrassment.
“Politics should never take away our humanity, our respect for one another, and our shared values as a people,” he said.
The former lawmaker acknowledged that Ize-Iyamu may have offended some individuals in the course of political activities and public service but maintained that public humiliation was not an acceptable response.
He further appealed to leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Edo South to caution the young men involved and take steps to prevent actions capable of causing division and disrepute within the Benin community.
Uzamere also called on sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom, regardless of political affiliation, to condemn acts of disrespect against elders, leaders and fellow citizens, noting that mutual respect remains a core value of the Benin people.
He urged political actors to resolve differences through dialogue, maturity and peaceful engagement rather than insults or public confrontation.
The former senator further appealed to leaders of the party involved to restore unity, decorum and mutual respect within their ranks, warning against allowing politics to erode the cultural values and identity of the Benin people.
