The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa said it has uncovered plans to blackmail and ridicule the Adams Oshiomhole administration in Edo State through paid demonstrations, protests and orchestrated media sympathies.
Director of Planning and Strategy of the group, Mr. Olushola Iyogun, said in a statement that “this unfolding strategy is aimed at blackmailing government to surrender and submit to their failure, self pity, undeserved and inordinate requests.”
He advised newsmen to watch out for persons with dubious characters, who might want to use the media to achieve their selfish and lazy intentions.
The statement entitled: “Of paid demonstrations, protests et al, Stop blackmailing Oshiomhole”, Iyogun said: “It is only in an open and civil government like in Edo State that you experience consistent and orchestrated protests on the streets of Benin city and media houses by some disgruntled individuals who want to reap where and when they have not sowed.
“A case in point was the natural disaster in 2012 that affected part of Ogba Zoo, along Airport Road being managed by a company which accused a construction company which was engaged by the state government of damages and subsequently demanded over N80 million as compensation.
“We have also witnessed the foul cry of one non-governmental organisation (NGO) which is blackmailing government. The NGO claimed to have rescued a 25-year-old man, who was abandoned at a refuse dump site by his uncle last week.
The coalition’s official decried the blatant disregard for laws in the state.
“It is only in Edo State you see people deliberately violating the law while absolving or abdicating themselves of their social responsibilities and thereby blame the dire consequences on government. Take for instance, the number of commuters driving against traffic lights and those who built their houses on natural waterways and moats. People with big mansions without drainage facilities and persons who deliberately silt up drains must be ready to battle flood water whenever heaven opens up.”
“I have traversed the entire length and breath of Benin city and discovered to my chagrin, that a most celebrated Benin Chief with palatial residence to the full length of a street has no drainage facility in and around his house. So, also, is the case of former and serving senators. The road leading to their houses are not only impassable, they are in total disrepair and Oshiomhole is to be blamed for it. It’s a pity,” he said.
He commended Governor Oshiomhole for making it a deliberate policy to construct drainage's on all the road projects he has embarked upon since assumption of office.
The Coalition also wants to encourage him to be steadfast and focused as ever in delivering the goods of democracy without submitting to the blackmail tactics of some dubious characters.”Mr Iyogun noted.
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