Protest rocks Benin City over Edo Assembly crisis

Semiu Salami
Semiu Salami

The crisis currently rocking the Edo State House of Assembly was on Tuesday taken to the streets of Benin City as several groups protested through the streets in a battle for the control of the Assembly.

Some of the groups constituting of mainly youths were pro- Peoples Democratic Party and pro- All Progressive Congress.

The PDP group called for the recall of the four lawmakers; Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, Friday Ogieriakhi, Patrick Osayimwen and Jude Ise-Idehen were the lawmakers suspended for alleged misconduct during Monday’s plenary..

Leaders of the pro- PDP protesters, Rotimi Adams and Ojo Godwin said they were in the streets to protest against injustice.

Placards carried by the protesters read, “Uyi Igbe stops this action.” “Lawmakers are not Lawbreakers” “Mr. Speaker says no to Governor evil plan.” “Edo State Youths are against the action of Uyi Igbe,” “Mr. Speaker do your work well”

Rotimi stated that constitution of Nigeria allows for freedom of association and movement from one party to another.

He said they would continue to protest and cause possible disruption if the lawmakers were not recalled.

The pro-APC protesters stormed the assembly premises in their large numbers, alleging that PDP wants to make the state ungovernable.

They accused the PDP of attempting to replicate what happened in River State in the state.

Derrick Uhunmwagho who spoke on behalf of the protesters urged Edo people not to be afraid.

According to him, “Benin City is known for a peaceful co-existence. APC youths will not allow anybody to foment trouble in the state. We will defend what belongs to us.”

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