5 days after the Edo State Home of Meeting issued an impeachment discover on the Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu, tons of of Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) members in Edo North senatorial district staged a peaceable protest to sentence the transfer by the state’s lawmakers to question the deputy governor.
reporter studies that the protesters additionally included supporters, grassroots mobilizers, lovers, and admirers of the embattled Edo State deputy governor.
The protesters, who took to the streets within the early hours of Sunday morning, March 10, 2024, opined that the allegations introduced by the lawmakers to situation the impeachment discover on the deputy governor weren’t solely frivolous but in addition politically motivated.
reporter recollects that Shaibu has been going through scrutiny following his aspiration to succeed his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Towards all odds, in a parallel governorship main held on February 22, Shaibu was declared the candidate of the occasion by delegates from throughout the 18 native authorities areas.
The protesters, below the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Motion (ENREM), gathered within the early hours of Sunday on the fashionable Jattu Junction in Etsako West Native Authorities with placards, and marched round main streets within the locality.
The protesters carried placards bearing numerous inscriptions equivalent to “We are saying no to the impeachment of Philip Shaibu,” “We are saying no to the persecution of Philip Shaibu,” “Shaibu must be rewarded for his loyalty, not persecuted,” “The silence of the PDP Nationwide Working Committee is suspicious, converse out now,” and “Give peace an opportunity,” amongst others.
The spokesperson of the protesters, Hon Festus Owu, whereas addressing the press, accused these behind the impeachment of benefiting from the goodwill and kindness of Philip Shaibu previously.
Owu condemned the function of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, within the impeachment proceedings, reminding him of Shaibu’s inalienable and elementary rights to specific his want to be elected governor of the state.
He emphasised that any occasion aiming to win elections should prioritize coherence and resolving inside points somewhat than exacerbating them. Each particular person has the correct to contest an election, and Philip Shaibu has expressed his willingness to contest for the place of Edo State Governor. Anybody obstructing that is intentionally main the state again to the period of godfatherism.
Owu alleged that Governor Obaseki had made an announcement just a few years in the past that anybody, together with himself, must be stoned in the event that they tried to change into a godfather within the state.
He additional expressed his opinion that given the political scenario within the state concerning the deliberate impeachment of the deputy governor, Governor Obaseki gained’t be stoned however left to be plagued by his personal conscience.
Owu suggested the Speaker of the State Home of Meeting, Blessing Agbebaku, to not change into a puppet or a rubber stamp Speaker within the palms of “enemies of our state” who do not need one of the best pursuits of the folks at coronary heart.
The spokesperson additionally criticized the management of the PDP Nationwide Working Committee, describing their silence as questionable, unacceptable, and an acceptance of their involvement within the ongoing impeachment plot. He thought-about it an indication of management failure and urged the occasion to take mandatory motion to forestall the upcoming collapse of the occasion.
“Should you inform a person to not farm in your farmland, it doesn’t imply he is not going to farm that 12 months.” What the state wants now, greater than ever, is peace.
“All stakeholders ought to collaborate with the Governor and the Deputy to make sure peace within the state and collectively mobilize assist throughout the state to win the forthcoming September 21 governorship election.
“We urge the Edo State Home of Meeting to give attention to offering good legislative governance for the Edo folks they symbolize, somewhat than participating in fruitless ventures of impeachment that don’t profit the hungry Edo folks affected by the results of unhealthy governance and poor illustration within the state.
“We implore the Speaker of the State Home Meeting, Blessing Agbebaku, to heed the voice of motive and work within the curiosity of Afemai, his personal folks, who elected him to symbolize their pursuits,” he added.
