PDP asks Obaseki to reverse Oba’s disposition

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday called on the new Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to reinstate, without delay, the traditional ruler of Uromi, HRH Anselm Edenojie.

The PDP made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye,
HRH Edenojie was deposed by the immediate past governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole last week.

The opposition party alleged that the traditional ruler was deposed for supporting the party’s candidate in the September governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

According to the statement, “The deposition is further evidence of favouritism and despotic reign of Adams Oshiomole as governor of Edo State for the past eight years.

“It is also evidence of the desire of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) to destroy all constitutional and traditional institutions as well as the constitutional rights and freedoms of the Nigerian people in its bid to establish a one party state,” it said.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the PDP said, empowers all Nigerian citizens to support, associate with and be affiliated to any political party and candidate of their choice.

It observed further that several traditional rulers demonstrated open support, and in fact campaigned for the APC candidate, Mr. Godwin
Obaseki.

It said, “This obvious bias, and nepotic willingness to destroy constitutional and traditional institutions that do not display obvious support for the
tyrannical and anti-people programmes and policies of APC is ripping the democratic gains of the past 16 years in shreds.

“We urge all well meaning Nigerians to prevail on Godwin Obaseki, the newly sworn in governor of the state to reverse this obnoxious deposition he inherited from his predecessor by restoring the monarch to his original position before he was wrongfully deposed.

“We also urge Nigerians to prevail on APC at various national and state levels to refrain from destroying institutions and individuals who exercise their
constitutional rights and freedoms”, it added.