A Benin socio-cultural group, Aigbe-Edo Progressive Alliance (A.P.A.), has cautioned the reinstated deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu and the Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, over alleged ‘anti-Benin diatribes.
The Benin group expressed dismay with the way the two Edo North politicians are presenting their counterpart from the Edo South Senatorial District as not only antagonising Benin people in the most notorious tribal connotations but disappointing.
The group, in a statement in Benin and made available to newsmen signed by its president, Engr. Carl Otokiti, while stating that it does not have anything against Shaibu, cautioned him against talking down on Benin people.
The group did not also raise concerns over attempts by a former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, whom it accused of also casting aspersions at prominent Benin leaders when he was governor and recently celebrities of Benin origin, Shallipopi and Rema, during the campaigns for the governorship election.
The group also advised Benin politicians whose stock in trade it said is the mischaracterization of their fellow politicians, for pecuniary gains to desist forthwith.
The statement reads, “While respecting Mr. Phillip Shaibu’s rights and privileges to express his frustrations over his impeachment, we warn him and Mr. Adams Oshiomhole to desist forthwith from antagonising Benin people in the most notorious tribal connotations.
“During the gubernatorial election campaign, Adams Oshiomhole castigated ShalliPoppi and Rema—outstanding Nigerian pop music stars of Benin ancestral background—simply because they showed up at the instance of Governor Godwin Obaseki .
“Phillip Shaibu vilified Rema under the guise that he was hosted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to perform at a discounted gate fee. Phillip Shaibu gravitated there from Barr. Osarodion Ogie and attacked his person and character in a trending video interview in the most ridiculous manner by liking him to be worse than a scorpion.
“We have it in good authority that a number of Benin people who are princes and nobles have been pencilled down for their anti-Binin character assassination, in a bid to paint the Uzairue people more politically credible in Tinubu’s presidential villa for more viable political appointments.”
