By DADA AYOKHAI
The South-South spokesman of the National Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Isaiah Osifo, has slammed Governor Monday Okpebholo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign in Edo State, Matthew Urhoghide, for allegedly superintending over political intolerance in Edo State.
Dr. Osifo said it is morally wrong for leaders who enjoyed a peaceful environment as opposition candidates to now preside over a government that harasses and intimidates opposition parties.
He made the remarks in Benin on Wednesday during a press conference organized by the NDC to condemn what it described as systematic intimidation, harassment and violence against its members and supporters, allegedly involving persons associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party’s address was delivered by the Edo State Director-General of the Obi/Kwankwaso Campaign Organization, Mr. John Yakubu.
Citing Governor Okpebholo as his first example, Osifo recalled that when Okpebholo contested for the Senate for Edo Central Senatorial District as an opposition candidate, when another party was in control of the state, nobody attacked his supporters, tampered with his banners and posters, or vandalized his office.
”The difference between that time and this time is that at that time there was a semblance of a responsible government, but in his time it is obvious that the government is irresponsible and he should be worried about that,” he said.
”If you have benefited from a peaceful environment that was supported by an incumbent government when you contested as an opposition party candidate, it is incumbent on him that morally it is wrong now that you are governor, opponents or candidates from other parties cannot peacefully contest. So it’s an indictment on his person, it’s an indictment on his government.”
In his second example, Osifo recalled that when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole contested for the governorship of Edo State as an opposition candidate, nobody attacked his posters, banners or office.
”In fact he was so free that then he used to have bike riders in Benin, he was parading the whole city with bike riders, nobody attacked them,” he said.
He therefore called on Senator Oshiomhole to speak up and defend his integrity.
”I therefore use this opportunity to call on Senator Adams Oshiomhole to speak up against this violence in Edo State because you have enjoyed freedom that was offered by a responsible government. So as a leader, as a senator, as a former national chairman of the ruling party, it is incumbent on him to defend his integrity. Failure to speak is an indictment on him and of course the people of Edo should know that such a man has no capacity on moral grounds to ask to be elected back to the Senate,” he said.
For his third example, Osifo said Matthew Urhoghide also contested for Senate as an opposition candidate in Edo South without his supporters, banners or office being attacked.
”I want to call on him, my brother, that before you commence campaign for APC, come out and speak about this hooliganism that is ongoing. You as the DG for the APC presidential campaign in Edo State has enjoyed the freedom that was offered by a responsible government,” he said.
Osifo said with the three examples, Edo people can differentiate between good and bad leaders.
”The good people were those who offered the environment for freedom. Now we have a government that does not allow freedom, they are the bad people and they will be rejected by the grace of God,” he said.
He stressed that the call was not just an appeal to security agencies but a call on Edo people to stand their ground and resist intimidation on election day.
”It is not even an appeal to the police or to the army, it is a call on the people that the people of Edo State must stand their ground. The police is responsible but they cannot be efficient when you are working under a government that is anti-people,” he said, adding that despite security lapses, Edo people will come out in large numbers.
”Even in the animal kingdom, if you watch Discovery Channel, when even sheep are in large numbers lions don’t go near them. So we are human beings, we should come out in large numbers and stand against this minority hooligans and by the grace of God democracy will triumph in Edo State, NDC will win in Edo State.”
