A Benin socio-cultural group, Aigbe-Edo Progressive Alliance (A.P.A), yesterday, carpeted the reinstated deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, over alleged anti-Benin diatribes.
The group also did not spare former governor of the state Senator Adams Oshiomhole, whom it accused of casting aspersions at prominent Benin leaders when he was governor and recently celebrities of Benin origin, Shallypopi and Rema, during the campaigns for the governorship election.
The group, in a statement signed by its president, Engr. Carl Otokiti, stated that it does not have anything against Shaibu fighting his impeachment. However, the group cautioned him against talking down on the Benin people.
It advised Benin politicians, whose stock in trade, he said, is mischaracterising their fellow politicians for pecuniary gains, to desist forthwith.
Part of 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 Charlie Poppy 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 therefrom to Barr. Osarodion Ogie attacked his person and character in a trending video interview in the most ridiculous manner by linking 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-Benin character assassination in a bid to paint the Uzairue people more politically credible in Tinubu’s presidential villa for more viable political appointments.”
