Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), has raised an alarm over what it called a likely reappearance of the outlawed Community Development Association (CDA), in Iyowa Community, Edo State.
Disclosing this at a press conference on Tuesday in Benin City, the Coordinator General of EDOCSO, Leftist Omobude Agho, accused the youth leader (Okaighele) of Iyowa Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state, of taking the laws into his hands as regards land matters.
He described the activities of the community’s Okaighele, as tantamount to the “proscribed Community Development Association (CDA) by the our royal father, Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare II and the Edo state government.”
Leftist Agho, stated thus “Iguikhimwin Community had written a petition to us as human rights activists over a lingering boundary dispute with Iyowa Community for our peaceful intervention in order for it not to escalate to violence and blood bath. In our wisdom, we informed the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Honourable Monday Osaigbovo so as to assist in the amicable and peaceful resolution process. Several meetings were called at the instance of the commissioner in resolving their differences. These meetings held at the disputed area and outside the communities with our attendance.
“It was agreed in a last meeting that representatives of the two communities, the commissioner and members of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) are to go back to the area under dispute and map out the extent of encroachment and other on-the-spot findings for further action.
“On the 11th of June 2020, all parties were present, not sooner than the aforementioned representatives converge at the disputed area with the representative of the commissioner who was unavoidably absent, that Etinosa Ighodaro who is the Youth leader (Okaighele) of Iyowa Community and his thugs started to unleash mayhem on Iguikhimwin community members and the human rights activists present with sporadic gunshots from assorted/high caliber weapons and the use of other dangerous weapons. Others were able to scamper for safety as the attack persists. The commissioner’s representative narrowly escaped the unprovoked attack.
“Three members of Iguikhimwin Community by the names Martins Idada, Ojo Osarobo and Christopher Ukpeigbe and a human rights activist Comrade Aimuamwonsa Igbinomwanhia who is a member of EDOCSO were adopted and whisked away by some fierce looking persons who came in an unmarked vehicle bearing AK47 with the inscription ‘IRT’ on their shirts, shooting sporadically into the air. The other two of our members ran for their lives as the gunshots from Etinosa Ighodaro and his thugs alongside that of the IRT officers rented the air.
“The four persons adopted which include our member were given the beating of their lives using all manner of dangerous weapons and gun butts. They later took them to Etinosa Ighodaro’s resident in Iyowa community where they detained them for hours before the activist was able to escape with serious bodily injuries and blood gushing out of his mouth. The aforementioned persons taken by officers of the IRT have been in detention since on the 11th of June, 2020.
“The activist is currently battling for his life due to the gravity of attack on him. It should be noted that, Etinosa Ighodaro procured the services of officers of IRT to disrupt the already smooth peaceful boundary resolution process by the Commissioner, who is Edo state government representative and members of EDOCSO so as to intimidate and use the police to achieve his personal interest and scuttle the process.
“In recent times, there have been protests by Iguikhimwin community and the Odionwere and elders of Iyowa community, his own community against the activities and high handedness of Etinosa Ighodaro which have been aired on ITV.
“It must stated that, Etinosa Ighodaro and his band of thugs have reawakened the proscribed CDA activities by Edo state government and the Oba of Benin Kingdom which has driven development backwards in Edo state. The use of police officers from Abuja to harass, intimidate and oppress members of neighbouring communities is an utter disregard and affront to the peaceful resolution mechanism put in place by our Royal Father, the Oba of Benin kingdom whose throne justice and fairness flows from.
OUR DEMANDS
1. That the arrested suspects be released as the issue has no criminal elements owing to the institutions and personality involved in the process of peaceful resolution process.
2. That Etinosa Ighodaro and his armed thugs be arrested, investigated and prosecuted over the unprovoked attack on our member who was part of the resolution team and for possession of firearms.
3. That our Royal Father, Oba of Benin kingdom should interrogate the activities of Etinosa Ighodaro, the youth leader of Iyowa community and possibly strip him of the office which has now a subject of abuse.
4. That Etinosa Ighodaro should be prevailed upon by our Royal Father, the Oba of Benin kingdom to allow the proper constitution of a community leadership which had Odionwere and elder’s council.
5. That Edo state government should as matter of urgency invoke the relevant laws in arresting and prosecuting Etinosa Ighodaro on his continuous CDA activities.
6. That all security agencies should be informed of the pillage of assorted/high caliber weapons in the hands of Etinosa Ighodaro and his thugs that are used in unleashing terror on others.
“We want the world to know that our member is currently battling for his life due to the adoption and brutalization by Etinosa Ighodaro and his boys. We will stop at nothing than to take the battle to him for the liberation of others that he has kept in bondage for years”, the EDOCSO Coordinator General, added.
[9:25 PM, 8/4/2020] Xpressfaith Services: APC: Thank You For Electing Me – Ize-Iyamu
First and foremost, I give thanks to God Almighty for the successful conduct of the primaries and the safety of all our members, including officials of all agencies, who took part across the state.
I thank the leader of our party, the All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari for his fatherly disposition and democratic stance that set the stage for a free and transparent contestation devoid of institutional bias, favoritism, or imposition of any kind.
I am also grateful to the national leadership of the APC for the courage displayed and the commitment to democratic ideals that have distinguished our party and made it appealing to millions of Nigerians across the country. The bold insistence on adherence to the constitution of the party, even amid immense pressure, was a great show of leadership that served as a reminder to all that the APC is a party founded on sacred values central to its growth and survival.
My grateful thanks also go to the Edo State Traditional Council led by Our great King, Omo’ N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpo, The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II for the fatherly counsel and important interventions. I wish to reiterate my deep respect and undying loyalty to the institution.
To the election committee chaired by His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for organizing a primary election that allowed the members of our party in the state to elect a candidate in a responsible, safe, fair, and transparent process, I convey my deepest gratitude.
From the start, with the adoption of the direct mode of primary, our party showed its recognition of the peculiarity of the times we are in and its commitment to complying with all regulations and guidelines in place to ensure that our people are protected from danger, specifically the coronavirus disease.
Today, because of the hard work of the committee, the cooperation of INEC, observers, and all security agencies, that desire got full expression as members of our party, whose conduct was admirable and responsible, participated in a primary that will form a point of reference to all on how to practice democracy without compromising safety procedures in the fight against a viral disease.
I am grateful to everyone for their support, most especially my fellow aspirants who shunned the politics of bitter opposition and displayed the level of maturity and sportsmanship never before seen in the history of this country.
Against an incumbent government that tested the resolve and unity of our party using morally bankrupt tactics without any regard for the rule of law, we were able to prevail because Dr. Pius Odubu, Hon. Osaro Obazee, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, General Charles Airhavbere (rtd), Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, Hon. Saturday Uwuilekwe and Professor Ebegue Amadasun showed great leadership and fought a good fight premised on the shared understanding that we are all on the same side, confronting and seeking to undo the many failures of an administration that betrayed our people and the values of our party.
I am very grateful to them and I look forward to working with them as we return to the streets and homes of our people, to restore and strengthen their hope and faith in the party, the All Progressives Congress, and return Edo state back on the path of development and growth.
Today’s victory is not for me alone. It is a victory for democracy, for the rule of law, and for our party, the All Progressives Congress. To everyone who played a part in making it possible; to my family, my campaign team, support groups at home and in the diaspora, members of our party, and all Edo people, I say thank you.
Receiving your endorsement and nomination to represent our party in the Governorship election is one of the greatest honors of my life. I find myself joyous but as well aware of the faith reposed in me by you all. Most importantly, I feel the weight of that trust and the great need not to disappoint all of you who deemed me worthy of the honor to fly the banner of our great party and be your representative at the polls.
The agenda remains SIMPLE in the literal sense of those alphabets as I renew my pledge to devote myself to moving this state forward by bringing new ways and innovative methods in: Security and Social Welfare, Infrastructural Development and Urban Renewal, Manpower Development and Training, Public-Private Partnership, Leadership by Example, and Employment Creation and Social Empowerment Scheme.
This time, we must get it right. And the work to make this a reality must continue with revitalized passion and zeal. Our victory today is only the beginning. We must now all come together, renew our loyalty to the party, and march with sturdy strides on this new path that beckons.
Fellow party members, thank you once again for your confidence in me and support. I assure you, and the people of our state, that you will not be disappointed.
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