A Benin socio-cultural group, Aigbe-Edo Progressive Alliance (A.P.A) Sunday (today, October 20) tackled the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, over alleged anti-Benin invective.
Besides, the group also accused former governor of the state, Sen Adams Oshiomhole 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.
In a statement signed by its President, Engr. Carl Otokiti, the group, while stating that it does not have anything against Shaibu contesting his impeachment, 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.
“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.
“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 worse than a scorpion.
“We have it on 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”, the group claimed in the statement.
