Group carpet Shaibu over alleged ‘Anti- Benin diatribes

By Titus Akhigbe

A Benin socio-cultural group Aigbe-Edo Progressive Alliance (A.P.A) on Sunday carpeted the reinstated deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu over alleged ‘anti-Benin diatribes.

The group did not also spare former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who it accused of also 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 while stating that it does not have anything against Shaibu fighting his impeachment which , the group cautioned him against talking down on Benin people.

It advised Benin politicians whose stock in trade he said is the mischaracterization of 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 antagonizing Benin people in the most notorious tribal connotations.

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“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, 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 penciled 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.”