By Ayo Kehinde
The Crow of protesters on Benin-City Streets on Thursday.
Two days after the House of Representatives Abdulrazak Namdas led -Committee on the Edo Assembly crisis threatened a seal order on the House should Governor Godwin Obaseki fail to issue a fresh proclamation for the inauguration of the 7th Assembly, hundreds of supporters took to the streets of Benin-City, the Edo state capital to protest in support of the governor and the lawmakers in his camp.
Led by Concerned Edo Youths, the protesters who took to major streets of the ancient city on Thursday said they were protesting the proposed take over of the Edo State House of Assembly by the House of Representatives.
As usual, motorists and commuters were taken unawares leading to heavy traffic hold up low commercial activities.
Spokesman of the protesters, Olu Martins, captured the protesters’ grievance.
According to him; “Yesterday, some funny looking men from the National Assembly told the Inspector-General of Police to take over the Edo State House of Assembly,” he said, adding,
“They said it is the National Assembly, so, why is the House of Representatives in a hurry. All legal people have said the matter is in court, and if the matter is in court, we expect the lawmakers to maintain status quo and leave the matter.
“Few years ago, somebody told us no to godfatherism and we are telling him also no to godfatherism. If you do eight years while stop another from not doing the same.
“We are here to say Edo state is working. The guys who came from Abuja, there is a similar thing going on in Bauchi state, but they did not go there. We want to tell them that Edo state is not Lagos state,” he said.
Martins said the people were out to demonstrate and express support for Governor Godwin Obaseki so he can continue to do the good works that has turned the state around.
He said: “We the people is the voice of God. We the Edo youths from all across, irrespective of the political parties, we all endorse Obaseki for his good work, and we are saying you can not stay in Abuja and collect some money and come here to make one pronouncement.
“Today is to demonstrate to tell Obaseki to forge on, to inform him we stand with him and to tell Obaseki no retreat no surrender,” he added.
Supporting his position, Roy Oribhabor, another youth leader said those who have enjoyed eight years, should also give room for others to enjoy their without unnecessary interference.
“It has come to a time where all of us Edo to say Edo belongs to us. Edo is not for sale. Those we elected to represent us have reduced themselves to gatemen. Let us tell the Governor Obaseki and Speaker Okiye to remain undaunted and focused.
“We will continue to negotiate for what is good. Edo state belongs to all of us. As the Governor said, this is gear two, we will be taking it to gear three and four,” Roy said.
In tow is also the APC youth leader, Valentine Aisien, who said, “We are fully in support as APC youths in Edo state that we are with you; that you have a genuine intention for the development of Edo state.
“Obaseki has touched every nooks and crannies of Edo state. So why should we remain ungrateful to him? We must support him so that he can do more. Work is in progress and will continue to be in progress
“We are here to tell him that he should not be distracted by any forces that he should continue to be focused; as he has always put the interest of the edolites at heart. We are fully in support of him.”
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on a fact finding mission to the state following the Reps’ verdict, met with the governor and promised fair hearing and then met with a faction reportedly loyal to former governor and National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in a bid to find a common ground for resolution of the lingering crisis that is tearing at the heart of governance in the state.
