Concerned People of Benin Nation (CPBN), a socio-political, economic and cultural group committed to the development and well-being of the Edo people, yesterday, said the fortcoming election offers the opportunity to interrogate the character of the candidates presented to the public for the election.
The group while addressing journalists at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City, accused the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of maladministration and several infractions against the people of the state, saying “We must resist the temptation of making a choice that may bring greater pain and retrogression upon us as a people”.
It, therefore, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Obaseki, to issue an unreserved written public apology to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll for what it termed, “sacrilegious disrespect” to the revered throne of the Benin Kingdom.
In a strongly worded press statement read by Prof. Amen Uhunmwangho which he signed along with others including(Dr Jacob Abusomwan,
Barr. Osarenkhoe, Leftist Agho Omobude, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture,
Comrade Eseosa Omoregbee, Chief Omuemu Etinosa, Chief Friday Omoragbon and Rev. Osamuyimen Isibor, the group said the apology should also be published in at least three national newspapers.
The apology is one of the series of grievances the group is demanding immediate action for based on their claims of serious wrongs they said the governor has committed against the Benin Kingdom and its people.
The CPBN, representing a broad coalition of Edo State residents, also demands an immediate halt to the ongoing construction of a museum for repatriated Benin artifacts, which they claim is being built without the Oba’s approval.
Besides, the group called for the withdrawal of lawsuits allegedly filed by some Enigie against the Omo N’Oba and the reallocation of lands and properties whose Certificates of Occupancy were revoked by the governor, affecting prominent individuals including the state former deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, late Captain Hosa Okunbor, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Chief Oseni Elamah, amongst others.
The CPBN also demanded a halt to the “abominable spiteful construction of a museum for the repatriated artifacts of Benin without the concurrence of the Oba of Benin”.
The group further demanded the return of communal lands they claim were illegally acquired by the state government for reasons other than overriding public interest and the payment of salaries and allowances to 14 Edo State House of Assembly members who have been unconstitutionally denied their seats for four years.