Reps Decision On Edo Assembly: Protests Rock Benin City As Over 10,000 Take To Street
Joseph Ebi, Benin City
Commercial activities were halted in Benin City, Thursday, as over 10,000 citizens of the state took to the major streets of the metropolis, to protest the proposed take over of the Edo State House of Assembly by the House of Representatives.
The protesters comprising of civil society groups, market women and others later converged at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.
Addressing journalists on the essence of the protest, Rev. Olu Martins who led them said the order given by the House of Representatives to the Inspector General of Police, Directorate of Security Service to seal up the state House of Assembly was uncalled for as the matter was already in court and they should wait for the verdict of the court.
“Yesterday, some funny looking men from the national assembly told the inspector general of police to take over the Edo state House of Assembly.
“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 the status quo and leave the matter.
“So, 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 of the state are solidly behind governor Godwin Obaseki and that nothing can alter that as he is currently turning the state around and should be allowed to continue his good works in the state.
“We all stand with Obaseki and the voice of the people is the voice of God. We 4m Edo youths from all across, irrespective of the political parties you are in, 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.
Another speaker, Roy Oribhabor 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 and speaker to remain undaunted and focused .
“We will continue to negotiate for what is good, Edo state belongs to all of us. Those who enjoyed for years should also allow another person to enjoy four years. As the governor said this is gear two, we will be taking it to gear three and four.
“And we will also let the governor know that he is not only in power, he is in authority and government. Therefore, he should use the power of the governor of Edo state”, Roy said.
Also, the state APC youth leader, Valentine Aisien, said the state governor should not allowed himself to be distracted, stressing that those who are behind him are more than those who are against him.
“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”, he added.
