…as protesters urge Gov, Speaker to hearken to Afemai people’s voice, declare impeachment plot as persecution
Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
Hundreds of PDP members, supporters, grassroots mobilizers, lovers and admirers of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Sunday, trooped to the streets to peacefully protest the plan by members of the Edo State House of Assembly to impeach the state’s number two man over allegations they consider not only frivolous but a political vendetta.
Recall that Shaibu has been at the receiving end following his move to succeed his boss in office, Gov Godwin Obaseki.
Against all odds, in a parallel election, Shaibu contested the party’s primary held February 22, where he was declared winner by delegates from across the 18 LGs.
The peaceful protesters under the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement, ENREM, first converged on the popular Jattu Junction, Etsako West LG with placards in the early hours of the day. They later marched round the major streets in Etsako West LGA before converging on the popular Jattu Junction where they addressed the press.
The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “WE SAY No TO IMPEACHMENT OF PHILIP SHAIBU”, “WE SAY NO TO THE PERSECUTION OF PHILIP SHAIBU”; “SHAIBU SHOULD BE REWARDED FOR HIS LOYALTY, NOT PERSECUTION”; “THE SILENCE OF PDP NWC IS SUSPICIOUS, SPEAK OUT NOW”; “GIVE PEACE A CHANCE”.
The protesters advised the Edo State House of Assembly to focus on providing good legislative governance for Edo people which they represent, rather than engaging in fruitless ventures of impeachment that brings no food to the table of hungary Edo people who suffer the brunt of bad governance and poor representation in the State.
They particularly reminded the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Blessing Agbebaku to listen to the voice of reason rather than work against the interest of Afemai, his own people, who elected him to represent their interest.
Leader of the protesters, Hon Festus Owu, while addressing the media, accused those behind the said Impeachment as those who in the past benefited from the good gesture and kindness of Philip SHAIBU.
He condemned the roles of Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the said impeachment, reminding him of the inalienable and fundamental rights of Shaibu to express his desire to be elected governor of the State.
In his words, “Any party that wants to win election must believe in coherence, must believe in resolving the problem facing them and not exacerbate it. Every man has the right to contest an election, Philip Shaibu has expressed his willingness to contest to be Edo State Governor and anyone stopping it is deliberately returning the State to the era of godfatherism”.
He reminded the Governor of his statement made a few years ago that anybody, including himself should be stoned whenever he makes attempt to become a godfather in the State.
He however said that Mr Governor won’t be stoned but left to be tormented by his own conscience.
He also told Agbebaku not to become a puppet and rubber stamp Speaker in the hands of enemies of our State, who do not mean well for the people.
The leadership of the PDP National Working Committee was not left out. Owu described their silence as questionable, unacceptable and an acceptance of being part of the ongoing evil in the State, saying that their silence is a clear leadership failure.
He told the party to do the needful and save itself from imminent collapse.
In his words, “If you tell a man not to farm in your farmland, it does not mean he will not farm that year. What the state desires now than ever is peace,” adding that all stakeholders should join hands with the Governor and the Deputy to ensure peace in the state and in unity collectively mobilize support across the State to win the governorship election.
