The plan
by Edo state government to build a N300million home for Adams Oshiomhole, the immediate past governor of the state and his
deputy, Tuesday ignited protest in Benin.
Online reports have it
that pro-government group and members of some civil society organisations
(CSOs) fought at Ring Road, Benin, when the latter marched through the streets
over the amendment of the law for the pension of the governor.
Edo
State House of Assembly last week amended the 2007 Pension Rights of the
Governor and Deputy Governor Law to include the provision of a building valued
N200 million for a former governor and N100 million for his deputy.
Justin Okunobor, the
speaker of the assembly, had said that the new provision was justified as there
was an existing law on pension benefits for former governors and deputies.
Anti-government
protesters, under the aegis of Edo Civil Society Organisations, had converged
on the museum ground in Benin as early 8 a.m. and marched toward the Anthony
Enahoro House of Assembly Complex to announce their rejection of the new
pension benefits.
The
civil society groups were confronted by those who support the amendment, who
prevented them from gaining access to the major entrance of the building.
The
challenge resulted in the CSO members running away, while security operatives
who had taken position at strategic positions around the assembly premises
watched.
Some
protesters sustained injuries during the fight which lasted about an hour,
while some vehicles and public address systems used by the CSOs were vandalized.
Spokesperson
for the civil society groups, Osazee Edigin said his members were attacked by
thugs allegedly sponsored by the government.
‘’They mobilized
thugs to attack us and we are trying to revive a guy who fainted, the thugs
have taken over Ring Road,’’ Edigin said.
The
Chief Press Secretary to Edo Governor, John Mayaki said the state government recognized
the rights and freedom of citizens to express their opinion on public issues
and would not do anything to infringe on their freedom.
Mr.
Mayaki said there was no iota of truth in the claim of the CSOs as the
government would not in any way attempt to gag the people’s freedom.
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