UNIBEN: PDP Plans To Destabilize Edo State – Oshiomhole, Urges Parents To Caution Children

By Alltimepost.com

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to use a section of students of the University of Benin to foment trouble in the state and create chaos which may lead to loss of lives.

He therefore urged parents to prevail on their children at the University of Benin and other tertiary institutions in the state not to allow themselves to be used by politicians.

In a broadcast to the people of the state on Saturday, the Governor said the leadership of the PDP in the state held a meeting at the home of one of the candidates of the party where they allegedly planned to recruit students and thugs and set petrol tankers ablaze in strategic parts of the state capital.

According to him, the state Government is still open to dialogue with authorities of the University of Benin over the 18 properties of the state reclaimed from the institution.

The Governor hinted that they have held series of meetings including the one at the house of a candidate of the opposition party in the state with a section of the students’ union government.

At that meeting, he continued a huge sum of money was allegedly provided to the students to mobilize more people as they resume on January 17, 2015.

“The idea is that by Monday, they will mobilize enough students with these funds provided by the leadership of the opposition party in this state to cause mayhem in Benin City.”

Comrade Oshiomhole further alerted the public that Part of the plan was that these students working and providing cover for party thugs will hijack petrol tankers, block roads with them with the anticipation, rightly, that the security agencies would resist them.

“They plan to set these tankers ablaze and in the process create confusion and in their estimation, this could easily lead to loss of lives. And of course they believe, rightly, that once there is loss of lives the situation would escalate and they believe they could profit from such violence.

They are determined to hide under the cover of this issue between the University of Benin Management and Edo State Government to create a crisis and cause diversion.”

“I want to remind the university students and indeed the entire student community in Edo State that Edo State Government has no dispute with the student community. Indeed, when we procured the Comrade buses, Edo State Government gave one Comrade Bus to the students of the University of Benin for their use.

We offered to pay the driver and we ordered the management of ECTS to maintain this vehicle at the expense of Edo State taxpayers for the comfort of the University of Benin students.

We did not only provide them with the bus, but we also offered and are paying the salary of the driver. Just as we provided the bus to Ambrose Alli University students under the same terms and conditions. So Edo State Government has not discriminated against the students of the University of Benin and we will never do so.

Governor Oshiomhole advised the students not to be used or manipulated by frustrated politicians who have no political message even as electioneering campaign is going on.

“Every student has a stake in the future of our country. Political contestations should be based on issues and ideas and not seeking to use innocent students to divert attention,”

So I want to appeal to you students to resist being used, and for those who have been compromised not to put their selfish interest over and above the collective welfare and indeed safety of thousands of innocent students of the University of Benin.

I am satisfied and happy that many of the students are clear that these issues have nothing to do with the welfare of the student community as properties in the GRA are not in within the premises of the University of Benin.”

He said that the security agencies have been put on the alert to everything possible to maintain law and order, adding that “leadership requires that you find courage to do what you have to do in the public interest. I cannot subordinate the interest of the people of Edo State to private individual interest no matter how highly placed. If anyone believes our action is a violation of his or her rights, the only civilized thing to do is to go to court and seek the enforcement of those rights.”

Governor Oshiomhole reassured the University of Benin that Edo State Government appreciates the contributions of the University to the growth and development of the state.

“Indeed they are our partners in progress. As I always say, as a Government that is popularly elected accountable and responsive, we are always open to dialogue. And we remain open, even at this hour.”