AGAIN, PROTEST ROCKS EDO NORTH OVER IMPEACHMENT MOVE ON SHAIBU

By The Editor.

Hundreds of PDP members, supporters, grassroot mobilizers, lovers and admirers of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Sunday, 10th March, 2024 trooped to the streets to peacefully protest the plan by members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) to impeach him (Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu), on allegations they  consider not only frivolous but a political vendetta.

The protesters urged the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the  Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku to listen to the voice of Afemai people, adding that the impeachment is political persecution.

The peaceful protesters under the aegis of Edo North PDP Rescue Movement, ENREM, first converged at the popular Jattu Junction, in Etsako West Local Government Area with placards in the early hours of the day. They later marched round the major streets in the Local government area before converging at 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" and "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE". 

They 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 the hungry Edo people who suffer the brunt of bad governance and poor representation in the State. 

They particularly advised the Speaker, Rt. Hon. 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 Rt. Hon. Comrade Shaibu. He condemned the role of the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the said impeachment, reminding him of the inalienable and fundamental rights of Rt. Hon. Shaibu  to express his desire to be elected governor of the State. 

 "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 god fatherism". Hon. Owu declared. 

He reminded the governor of his statement made few years ago that anybody, including himself should be stoned whenever he or she makes attempt to  play the role of a political 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 urged Hon. Agbebaku not to become a puppet and rubber stamp Speaker in the hands of enemies of the State who do not mean well for the people. 

The leadership of PDP National Working Committee was not left out. Hon.Owu described their silence as questionable, unacceptable and acceptance of being part of the ongoing evil in the State,  adding that their silence is a clear leadership failure. 

He told  the leadership of the party to do the needful and save it

 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 the state desires now than ever is peace."He advised . 

He charged all stakeholders to join hands with the Governor and his Deputy to ensure peace in the state and  collectively mobilize support across the State to win the governorship election.