BY BOB MAJIRIOGHENE ETEMIKU, ALLTIMEPOST.COM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT (NIGERIA)
Following the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum given to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to address them over “the worsening education situation in Edo state or face the wrath of the 1.4million students in the State, members of the Nigerian Students and Youth Association (NISAYA) demonstrated on the streets of Ekiadolor yesterday.
At a World Press Conference on May 22, 2019, the students said what led them to issue the ultimatum was that they had coped with government’s insensitivity for seven months, saying that “the worsening and unaddressed education situation in Edo state was ‘condemnable and punishable by God.”
Mr. Osemudiamen Ogbidi, NISAYA president told Alltimepost.com today that they decided to carry out their demonstration in Ekiadolor to drive home their demands as Governor Obaseki ignored their 72-hour ultimatum.
“As soon as the 72-hour ultimatum expired yesterday, we embarked on our demonstration. Prior to that, we had received several calls from faceless people who threatened to deal with us if we did not shelf plans on the demonstration. After we received those calls, we wrote to the police and the DSS,” Ogbidi said
Alltimepost.com investigations revealed that top brass of the police and the DSS who showed up in Ekiadolor to forestall a breakdown of law and order appealed to the students to vacate the express road.
“Our agreement with the police and DSS is that we will vacate the road only if the Governor agrees to address the issues we raised concerning the deteriorating situation of education in Edo State. If he fails to do that, we will again mobilize our students and return to the trenches until Mr. Governor addresses us,” Mr. Ogbidi said.
Contacted for comment, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the demonstration, remarking the students registered their grievances in an orderly and peaceful conduct.
As at press time, officials of Edo State Government could not be reached for comments.
