More than one week following incident, global outrage and condemnation continue to trail the politically motivated attack launched against PDP dignitaries, among them governors who were at the Benin Palace to pay obeisance to the Great Benin King, Oba Ewuare II.
The latest of such reactions is coming from Concerned Edo State Indigenes in Toronto, Canada who condemned the attack in strongest terms.
PDP’s visit, led by host Governor Godwin Obaseki on Saturday July 25, 2020, was part of the activities marking the launch of its gubernatorial campaign in Edo State.
In a statement on Monday, signed by one of its coordinators, Mr. Festus Ewansiha, the group not only condemned the attack, but described it as an act of hoodlumism perpetrated by political thugs.
The group also described the act as sacrilegious and an utmost disrespect for the cultural values of Edo people who hold the palace grounds sacred.
The organization said that everyone in Edo State deserves free association, and unhindered access to political participation in a peaceful environment.
“The news that the opposition has chosen the palace as its battling arena is sacrilegious and a mark of utmost disrespect for the cultural values all Edos hold dearly for our revered monarch and the well-meaning sons and daughters of Edo Kingdom,” the group bemoaned.
It therefore called on President Mohammad Buhari, the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police and all law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate and bring the culprits and their sponsors to justice.
Edo Indigenes warned that failure to address the issue would encourage copycat and perpetuation of more violence which will have devastating effects on the innocent people of Edo State ahead of the September 19, 2020 election.
“In any civilized society, there abound multiple political parties whose ideological differences are sorted out in rigorous debates without resulting to violence.
“We call on those who espouse violent tendencies to refrain from the act as there may be collateral consequences. Political intolerance and resultant violence are barbaric.”
The group called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used as disposable pawns before and after the elections, adding: “We support good and conscientious governance whose ultimate goal is to provide enabling environment for all to carry out their activities of daily living and also enjoy life to their fullest potentials.”
Edo indigenes descried those who, in recent times used the sobriquet of lions and tigers to describe their activities in the state, saying: “We say no to guns! We say no to lions and tigers in Edo State.”
The organization advised all Edo sons and daughters to let their votes count in choosing who wins the governorship election in Edo State.
