By Alltimepost.com
Members of Edo Civil Society Organizations were attacked this morning while protesting the recent passage of the bill, amending the existing legislation on the Pension Rights of Governors and their Deputies, with the approval of N300m housing largesse for ex-governors and their deputies by the state lawmakers.
As planned, the showdown started at about 7: am Nigerian time from strategic locations of the three Edo State Senatorial Districts.
Alltimepost.com gathered that members of the Civil Society Organizations, while on their peaceful protest at the Kings Square area home of the State Assembly were attacked by thugs allegedly loyal to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. The thugs allegedly attacked them as they approached the Assembly complex.
weapons of destruction, such as machetes and other dangerous weapons were said to have been freely used by the assailants to unleash mayhem on their victims, many of whom sustained injuries, with the flow of blood.
The attacks allegedly occurred under the watchful eyes of the men of the State Police Force, stationed at the Assembly Complex to provide security. They were alleged to have watched the incident without any intervention to save the situation.
Alltimepost.com reliably gathered that following reports of the impending protest, the state lawmakers adjourned a plenary section earlier scheduled for today till Monday and left to avoid meeting with members of the Civil Society Organizations who had black tops on to express their angers with the authorities.
Beginning from yesterday security at the Assembly had been beefed up in anticipation of serious civil disobedience that might arise from the planned protest.
Edo State Civil Society Organizations had risen from an emergency meeting on Saturday with a decision to embark on mass protest against what they regard as the irresponsible and insensitive action of members of Edo State House of Assembly.
They had called on all Edo people to come out enmass to participate in the protest, planned to take place simultaneously in all the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Prior to the commencement of the protest, Alltimepost.com was informed by Prince Osaze Edigin, Public Relations Officer of the group that the showdown would take place in Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, purposely to express the people’s displeasure with the lawmakers and send a strong message that “power belongs to the people.”
The Civil Society Organizations, now seemingly the only true and credible voice of the masses, where politicians have failed, are accusing the lawmakers of betraying the trust of the people.
In Edo South, protesters were urged to converge at the Museum ground, Kings Square area home of the State House of Assembly in Benin City where the protest started this morning.
In Edo Central, protesters were instructed to report at the Ambrose Alli Square in Ekpoma, while in Edo North, at Angle 90 in Auchi at 7: am.
“Edo Civil Society Organizations is not joking. We must take back our state from the vampires. This is just the beginning, the bigger one is coming,” Prince Edigin had warned in his WHATSAPP message during the week.
“After a marathon strategic meeting by the leadership and eggheads of Edo Civil Society Organizations and feedback from the people of Edo State in regard to the recent deliberation for the passage of the bill to award bogus pension package to ex governors and deputies by Edo state House of Assembly, it has become imperative for Edo Civil Society Organizations to mobilize the good people of the state to reject it in its entirety in a warning protest,” Prince Edigin Stated.
Coming at a time of economic recession, with mass poverty all over the place, the passage of the unpopular bill has been trailed by fierce condemnation by Edo people all over the world who see the lawmakers as serving their own selfish interests as against the interest of the people who elected them into office.
It would be recalled that Edo House of Assembly, last Wednesday approved the construction of houses for former governors and their deputies for not more than N200m and N100m, respectively, in any location of their choice.
The approval followed the consideration of a bill for a law to amend the existing legislation on the Pension Rights of Governors and their Deputies in the state.
Moving the motion for the consideration of the bill, the Majority Leader, Foly Ogedengbe, moved that House rules 20, 27, 42, 43, 44 and 45 be suspended, to enable the assembly to consider the bill.
The motion was seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie.
Considering the bill as a committee of the whole, the lawmakers amended the law to read that a governor and his deputy shall be entitled to a house each, at any location of their choice.
The new law, however, provides that the houses shall not be more than N200m and N100m, respectively.
As at press time it was not possible to reach the office of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Justin Okonoboh.
From the United States, Alltimepost.com called and spoke to the Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, Mr. Moses Nkonbe for his Comment on the incident.
He told Alltimepost.com that it was not possible for him to speak on the issue until he talks to the State’s Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations and that he would get back to us.
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