Omowumi Bode Ekundayo (PhD)
Members of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People (MAAP) decry the orgy of violence and vandalism that was unleashed in the Airport Road axis of Benin City, Edo State on 18th July, 2024, which was triggered by the abrupt arrival of Comrade Philip Shaibu from Abuja and the threatening presence of a crowd of his loyalists and acolytes in the convoy of Senator Monday Okpebholo, Edo APC gubernatorial flag bearer.
They marched towards Edo Government House axis with Shaibu perching defiantly, like a hawk determined to swoop down on an unsuspecting chick, on his ‘unofficial SUV’ bearing the emblem of the ‘Deputy Governor Edo State’ and waving to his supporters and thugs to march downward.
The sudden menace ignited a spell of violence that culminated in the loss of a precious policeman’s life and wanton destruction of private and government property.
We condemn the avoidable ugly and barbaric acts of violence with all emphasis at our command.
Whichever motivational speaker must have imbued Comrade Phillip Shaibu with such a bravado as to convince him that he and his loyalists could recapture the office of the Deputy Governor of Edo State by violence largely mis-inspired the impeached Deputy Governor to embark on a precarious adventure, which has now inflicted an enormous harm on his public image.
Even lay men, not to mention learned gentlemen, are aware of the fact that litigation, from its inception to its final verdict at the Supreme Court, undergoes a trajectory of inevitable processes and stages.
A victory or verdict of a lower court being challenged under appeal and a stay of execution is a court victory in transit or under suspension and so non-implementable until the verdicts of the higher and highest appellate courts.
Comrade Shaibu and his exuberant supporters ought to have realised that the case he instituted to challenge his removal from office will unavoidably climb the ladder of litigation up to the Supreme Court, and only the Supreme Court can and will aver the final-final verdict.
So, why would Shaibu and his unbending followers take the laws into their hands, using Senator Monday Okpebholo’s convoy as camouflage?
Or are they both in cahoot to cause anarchy and render Edo ungovernable so as to justify a hastened declaration of a state of emergency?
Should Shaibu have undertaken to bulldoze his way into an office from which he has been impeached? Is that how sweetly and deeply he loves the office and how dearly he strives with vaulting ambition to deputise for Governor Obaseki?
Why is Comrade Phillip Shaibu forcing himself to be Deputy to a Governor and a State Government that became so indignant and disgusted with his activities and excesses that they removed him from office without scruples?
Do Shaibu and his loyalists think that Obaseki’s Government will condone such a violent effrontery aimed at recapturing the Office of the Deputy Governor?
Which State Government or Governor would allow such an affront under his very nose and korokoro eyes?
Violence is not a monopoly and action and reaction, according to the laws of motion and physics, are equal and opposite. Sometimes, the reaction is even unequal and shattering; hence, violence must be eschewed as much as possible for harmony and peace to flourish in society, especially when violence is directed against constituted authorities and a people.
Will the Shaibu that we know so well allow an inch of such an invasion in a government that he presides over as governor and number one security officer?
While our sincerely hearts go to the victims of the unnecessary mayhem, particularly the family of the slain Police Officer, MAAP urges Shaibu to take a hard look at the grim reality on the ground, staring at him pointblank. Shaibu ought to ‘exercise patience’ and restraint, for true patience is indeed an exercise, until the last court of appeal delivers its final judgment. As a native proverb says, you do not beg someone eating pepper soup to sip water.
Furthermore, we urge major political parties contesting the gubernatorial election in Edo to conduct their electioneering activities with tact and mutual respect and regard for others in the spirit of decorum, peace and order. Edo Okpa ma khin (Edo people are one), as we say.
Peddling dangerous rumours, spreading untenable claims, sowing atrocious mendacity, propaganda and mud slinging do not build but ruin a nation or state.
For instance, we find it hard to believe that His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, would want to assassinate the APC gubernatorial candidate. What for? All the time that Senator Akpakomiza and some APC gladiators have been plunging into pools of flood at the GRA of Benin City to run down PDP and Mr Godwin Obaseki, just one instance out of many others on the social and other media, Obaseki did not send thugs to kill him. Why now coinciding with Shaibu’s victory at the lower court and his hubris march with his men to Benin City under Okpebholo’s convoy and canopy?
Candidates and political parties should preoccupy themselves with marketing their manifestos and selling their candidates in the main, not impregnating the uterus of such a peaceful state as Edo with the semens and spectres of violence and apprehension.
We must remember that before election, there was a life and after the election in just half a day or less, life must continue, or will it not?
Thereafter, there will be realignment and sombre reflections, deep sighs of regrets and reliefs. Former foes will then turn new friends and old friends will become new foes. Mass decamping or defecting to the winning party follows.
No permanent foes or friends in politics, they say. So, we must not turn Edo State to the theatre of the absurd in the name of election and in our selfish interest.
Signed for MAAP:
Omowumi Bode Ekundayo (PhD)
National Coordinator
