By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Chairman of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo State, Dr. Samson Isibor, has called on the Edo state government to as a matter of urgency release the federal government palliative met for Edo State.
Isibor made the call on Friday while giving awards of recognition and honours to some distinguished personalities “who has contributed immensely to the social-economic growth of Edo State and impacted one way or the other to many citizens particularly the downtrodden, the less privilege in our society both spiritually and physically.”
Dr Isibor said, “Godwin Obaseki should give us our fuel subsidy federal government palliatives of food items and other items inclusive. We are hungry give us our rice, beans, cooking oil or share our palliative money for us.
He said, other states have distributed their palliatives to their citizens without any delay, and have even bought new buses to easy the present hardship in transport
The CRPP chairman, charged the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) “to wake up to their responsibility by beaming their searchlight on some erring private broadcasting stations that turns themselves to a opposition political party.
“This broadcasting houses have turn themselves to opposition to the central government. That’s why the federal government looks elsewhere, making us to suffer bad roads because of some few ones disseminating hate speech news and inciting the populace against the federal government for their selfish gains at the detriment of the suffering masses of Edo State.
“NBC should identify them and sanction them. No state can operate successfully without cooperating with the central government. No organization is above the law.”
On the cold war between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the CRPP said: ” We appeal to the outgoing governor(of Edo State) to leave the deputy governor(Comrade Philip Shaibu) alone. He should be allowed to exercise his civic right to vote and be voted for.
“There is nowhere in our constitution that empowers any governor to stop any interested person from contesting any post whether for governorship or presidential elections. Shaibu has inalienable rights to contest. The governor should provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants.”
Among the awardees were Dr. Osahon Enabulele, immediate past President of the World Medical Association (WMA); Rev. Fr. Andrew Obinyan, a Catholic priest; Hon. Anemero Dekeri, a member of the House of Representatives representing Etsako Federal Constituency and Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Senator representing Edo Central District in the National Assembly among others.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Osahon Enabulele thanked Dr Isibor for finding them worthy to be given award. He prayed that God almighty continue to guide and provide for him to carry out his good job.