Thousands of indigenes and residents of Edo North senatorial district in Edo state on Sunday, March 10, staged a peaceful protes over the plot to remove deputy governor Philip Shaibu.
Shaibu hails from Edo North senatorial district of the state.
The protesters also asked Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is at loggerheads with Shaibu over the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21, election to allow peace reign in the state.
They also begged the speaker of the state House of Assembly
Blessing Agbebaku, to shelve the impeachment move against Shaibu.
The displeased protesters, who were chanting anti-Obaseki songs, were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, including: “No to impeachment of Edo deputy governor”, “Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding”, “Give peace a chance” and “We choose peace against impeachment.”
Others included: “Edo North people are saying no to impeachment”, “Drop impeachment move against your deputy,” “We are saying no to impeachment of Deputy Governor” and “Edo people reject impeachment of the Deputy Governor.”
The protesters, who were mostly PDP’s members, supporters, grassroots’ mobilisers, lovers and admirers of Edo deputy governor trooped to the streets to protest the allegations against him, which they considered as not only frivolous, but political vendetta.
The protesting women, men and youths, under the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement (ENREM), first converged on the popular Jattu Junction, Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo North senatorial district of Edo state, while they later marched round the major streets of the communities in Etsako West LGA.
Leader of the protesters, Festus Owu, while addressing reporters, told Edo lawmakers to focus on providing good legislation for residents of the state, rather than engaging in the fruitless venture of impeachment that would bring no food to the table of the hungry Edo people, who, according to him, suffered the brunt of bad governance and poor representation in the state.
The Agbebaku-led 24 lawmakers were asked to listen to the voice of reason, rather than working against the interest of Afemai (Edo North people), his own people, who elected him in Owan West constituency, to represent their interest.
Owu declared that the persons behind the impeachment plot were people, who in the past, greatly benefited from the good gesture and kindness of Shaibu.
He condemned the shocking roles of Obaseki in the impeachment saga, while reminding him of the inalienable and fundamental right of Shaibu to express his desire to be elected governor of Edo state.
Leader of the protesters said: “Any party that wants to win election must believe in coherence, must believe in resolving the problems facing them, and not exacerbate them. Every man has the right to contest an election. Rt. Hon. (Comrade) Philip Shaibu has expressed his willingness to contest to be Edo governor, and anyone trying to stop his legitimate aspiration is deliberately returning Edo to the era of godfatherism
“Governor Obaseki needs to be reminded of his statement few years ago that anybody, including himself, should be stoned whenever attempt is made to become a godfather in Edo politics. The governor will not be stoned, but will be left to be tormented by his own conscience.
“Agbebaku shoule not to become a puppet and rubber stamp speaker, in the hands of enemies of Edo State, who do not mean well for the residents.
The silence of the leadership of PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) is questionable, unacceptable and acceptance of being part of the ongoing evil in Edo State, as their silence is clear leadership failure. PDP leaders must quickly do the needful and save the party from imminent collapse.
“If you tell a man not to farm in your farmland, it does not mean he will not farm that year. What Edo State desires now is peace.”
Owu also admonished all stakeholders to join hands with Obaseki and Shaibu to ensure peace in Edo, and mobilise support across the 18 local government areas of the state for PDP’s candidate to win the forthcoming governorship election.
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