[Press Release] We read with barely concealed laughter, the latest comedic masterpiece disguised as a press statement by Senator Monday Okpebholo, announcing the indefinite suspension of Mr. Kelly Okungbowa, also known as Ebo Stone and his gang of thugs in the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT).
This latest suspension over allegations of extortion, harassment, and unruly behavior, marks the forth in a litany of suspensions that have besieged the Okpebholo administration in just three months in office, including the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, both of whom were axed for ‘grave financial infractions.’
Unfortunately for Okpebholo, these suspensions are mere symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is that he is sitting on an illegitimate mandate.
On September 21, 2024, the people of Edo State came out en masse and overwhelmingly voted for Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, Okpebholo and his political godfathers forcefully imposed themselves on the State and its people, in what has been widely described as one of the worst electoral heists since Nigeria’s return to democracy.
This is the underlying problem and is what today has snowballed into the chaos, gloom, regression, and despair that is being witnessed across the State since Okpebholo got into Dennis Osadebey Avenue. Hence, from the suspension of his chief law officer to that of the Local Government Service Commission chairman, Managing Director of Edo state flood,erosion and watershed management agency and now the agberos and thugs under the PSRT, among others, are symptomatic of the fact that the government is illegitimate and does not represent the will of the people of Edo State.
The only way peace can be restored in Edo State is when the mandate which was violently stolen by Okpebholo is returned to Asue Ighodalo, who was duly elected by the people of the State at the last gubernatorial election.
No one holds a personal grudge or has a problem with Okpebholo. His government is illegitimate, and illegitimacy cannot magically transform into legitimacy. So, the earlier the real problem is solved, the better for Edo State and its people.
We, however, encourage the good people of Edo State to remain hopeful and courageous. By the grace of God, justice will prevail, and the judiciary will return the legitimate owner of the mandate and Edo State will find peace again.
Signed
Chris Osa Nehikhare
Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee
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