The governorship candidate of the PDP in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has been told to terminate his ambition to emerge as the state’s next governor over his alleged determination to continue the controversial policies pursued by his main backer, Governor Godwin Obaseki, including the fight against the Oba of Benin......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
This was following the outrage triggered by the court case filed against the Oba of Benin by some renegade Dukes who reportedly enjoy the support of Governor Obaseki. The Dukes are challenging the Oba’s leadership, including his power to suspend them, based on an antiquated 1979 law which was suddenly revived by the Edo State government at the instruction of the governor.
Asue Ighodalo, a longtime ally and co-conspirator with Obaseki, was accused of plotting to continue the controversial acts of the governor, notably his quest to undermine the Oba of Benin, open disregard for the legislative and judicial arms of government, among other infractions.
A statement by the Senator Monday Okpebholo Campaign Organisation and signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. John Mayaki said, “Ighodalo’s candidacy is an attempt by Obaseki to reproduce himself in government and continue his perfidous reign. They look alike, speak the same way, and will definitely act the same way. We can no longer endure a governor who has no regard for the institutions that define our identity and protect our democracy,” it said.
According to Mayaki, “We have strong reasons to believe that if elected, Ighodalo will resume the fight against the Oba over artifacts that belong to his ancestors. The lawyer has not denied the fact that he shares Obaseki’s sacrilegious views that these artifacts should be conscripted by the state and hawked around in shelves for money.”
“We also do not want a governor that will place the legislature and judiciary under his thumb, preventing them from carrying the checks and balance function that gives meaning to our democracy and guards against a slide into dictatorship.”
“The world can see that the mammoth protest witnessed in Benin over the controversy, and the anger it has generated across the kingdom, is an indication that the gods are angry with Obaseki and his co-travelers. Hence, Ighodalo, who is regarded as being in the camp of the ‘enemies of the Oba’, is encouraged to immediately step down as a candidate and terminate his ambition”.