EDO STATE GOVERNOR
I read in the Punch today that Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Monday warned the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to stop undermining the laws of the State. Oshiomhole said this at the inauguration of the 14 newly elected Local Government Chairmen in Benin.
ESAMA OF BENIN KINGDOM
Apparently the Esama's cup is filled because the man has been carrying on as the Lord of the manor for years even before his son became the Governor of the State and no one stopped him. For Governor Oshiomole to now get angry means the Esama is out of control. The Governor said his government has the capacity and the will to contain Igbinedion’s excesses and he is going to do it. If you ask me, I will say the excesses of not only the Esama but all those people either in power or out of it should be checked and contained. Hear the Governor, -
“There is evidence that he (Igbinedion) has undermined the prosperity of the state for a very long time. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones.
“I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy; he has acquired a lot of government land that the people have not engaged him on. He walks as if he is above the law. He was a chief tax collector in this state, pocketing 25 to 30 per cent of every kobo that accrued while his son was the governor.
“I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. I want to put him on notice that if he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice.
“He must never ever underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will; if he crosses the law, he will be cut to size.
“Elders must teach the younger ones to behave responsibly.
The Governor further condemned what the Esama of Benin Kingdom was alleged to have done on Saturday, the 20th of April 2013, during the Local Council election in Okada, Edo State where his business empire is.
“You heard how he is using ITV ( Igbinedion Television) in a very reckless manner, in clear breach of the NBC code. He reduced himself as a high chief, leaving where he is registered to vote and going all the way to Okada on a day movement was restricted across the state.
“He got to Okada and illegally used mobile policemen to walk on the street; going to the police station where sensitive election materials were kept in order to vandalise the sensitive electoral materials to ensure elections did not take place.
“If he misleads himself into believing that he has the birth right to continue to appropriate and privatise the resources of Edo State, he is living in a fool’s paradise.”
Oh yes my Comrade, tell him he is not above the Law ojare. He is a citizen just like every Nigerians and every Edolites. Elders must show the younger ones how to behave. No one is above the law, not even the Queen in England or President Obama in the US. If the law says no one should leave one point to the other during election day, then no one. By the way, is the Esama an electoral officer? Why was he going to inspect election materials? It's about time we behave within the law.
The Governor accused the High Chief of pocketing 25 to 30 percent of the total tax accrued to the State for 8 years, why has he not reported him to EFCC so that they can charge him to court or preferably force him to return part of the stolen state money? The State could use the money for roads construction and repairs.
No wonder the State was not developed all that time that Lucky Igbinedion was Governor. For 8 years, major roads in Benin City, the capital of Edo State were not tarred, maintained or expanded. There was no new infrastructural development in that State. In fact, some major roads in the city had turned to motorcycles and foot paths because weeds had taken over.
Flood was the order of the day in the State as flood channels were blocked and no new channels or outlets were created as Fashola is doing in Lagos State.
I smiled when I read that Oshiomole called his activities,'elder rascality'. It reminded me of the Esama's attitude at the book launch of one of my friends father at NIIA last month. The man was at the High table with Chief S.O.U. Igbe (Author of the Book) and was really disturbing Sony Irabor the MC by calling him to come over for one correction or the other. To the Esama, It was supposed to be a show but to some of us it was unnecessary distraction. I know the MC is a gentleman but you could see, he was not finding it funny.
Anyway, the man and his son ruled the State for 8 years so he thinks he owned the State and may find it difficult to stop now except the Governor stops him.
Talking about all the lands the Esama has acquired legally and illegally, tell me who is going to challenge him? The Governor can but is he ready to do that now?
Governor, you are the chief law officer of Edo State and if someone has contravened the law, use the weight of the law to deal with the situation accordingly. If the Esama has no regards for constituted authority, do something. If he has pocketed 20-30% of Edo revenue illegally, please get it back.
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