Edo Political Tension: UNUEDO Urges Caution, Respect For Rule Of Law

UNUEDO Renaissance, an association of Edo State professionals within Nigeria and in the Diaspora, has expressed reservations over the political tension in the state.

Rising from its emergency meeting recent where the association deliberated on the way forward for peace in Edo, reviewing political development in the the state, particularly the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal and issues relating to the sacking of the 18 local government area chairpersons, they expressed worry “Over the disturbing spate of political uncertainty and resultant unrest in our dear state, especially in the most recent weeks,” UNUEDO said.

In a press statement signed by Mr. Nuhu Yakubu and Mr. Nelson Wilbert, the president and secretary general of UNUEDO, respectively, the association said further; “We note that speedy dispensation of justice would go a long way to douse the rising political tension between the contending parties, to curb the far-reaching consequences of regrettable violent clashes
between political thugs.

“On this note, we welcome the decision of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal to relocate to Abuja in view of the obvious threat of breakdown of law and order and threat to life as recorded during the tribunal’s penultimate sitting in Benin.

“While our faith in the judiciary remains strong that the tribunal would be dispassionate and dispense justice with the fear of God, we implore members to ensure that justice is not only served but is seen to have been served within the permissible time frame despite the distractions, since the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.”

UNUEDO regretted the activities of non-state actors who they accused of intimidating law enforcement agents, with support from politicians.

“We have observed that the non-state actors who are perpetuating violent disruption of peaceful law and order, electoral processes, harassment of citizens and even law enforcement officers, seem to be enjoying the active support of politicians. We therefore urge the political parties to call their members to order, with decisive actions.

“We urge the political class across all parties to stop overheating the polity and, should instead respect the Rule of Law no matter how justifiable their grievances and actions may seem, bearing in mind that government is about ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number of people, which should manifest on the welfare of residents and people of Edo State, both home and abroad.

“Law enforcement agencies are enjoined not to succumb to intimidation and harassment by touts and all non-state actors, in its efforts to enforce law and order, through instrumentality of the rule of law. The recent public show of disrespect for law enforcement officers, was rather disturbing, to the utter disbelief of residents of the state. UNUEDO calls on the Federal Government to ensure that the judicial process goes on freely and without hindrance or interference from any angle.

“UNUEDO Renaissance also calls on the Government of Edo State to prioritise the maintenance and enforcement of law and order to return lasting peace, as prerequisite for attracting tourism, investment and development, which our dear state so urgently needs at this time, to boost her local economy. To achieve this, we urge the government to do more to check the rising incidences of impunity and politically-motivated attacks between factions loyal to different sides of the political divide, while urging the Governor as the state chief security officer, to call on Edo state political actors irrespective of partisan leanings, to stop the mayhem which would, as it most often happens, have innocent citizens as casualties.

“Another thorny issue that has made the state restive, albeit simultaneously, is the tension in the state’s local government administration. With the case currently now before the courts, we call for caution, given the sensitivity of the matter, capable of creating turmoil at our grassroots level. UNUEDO is convinced that politicians can do better, with respecting provisions of the law on electoral and governance matters, which are usually rather straight forward. However, when occasions like this arise with conflict of understanding, we urge the political actors irrespective of their partisan leanings, to submit to the rule of law in adjudicating such matters arising.

“We enjoin our traditional rulers and religious leaders to lend their voices at this time of need, to ensure peaceful coexistence in their domains given how closely knit we are as a people with ancestral linkages running into centuries.

“Following the developments in the Edo State local government administration and the autonomy of the third-tier of government across the 36 states of the country, UNUEDO calls on the Federal Government and the leadership of the National Assembly, in conjunction with all stakeholders, to undertake a holistic review of local government administrations in Nigeria, vis-a-vis its place in the current national structure with the aim of resolving the complexities and ambiguities in its administration and relationship with respective state governments.

“UNUEDO wishes to remind us of the vision, courage, resilience and intellect of the founding fathers of the Old Midwest State, later renamed Bendel State, and thereafter split into Edo and Delta states respectively, whose founding principles were rooted in rule of law, formal and vocational education, economic self-reliance and above all, mutual self-respect. Resting on these well-established values, our founding fathers were able to extricate our people from the strangle-hold of the Nigerian system at that time in our national history.

“Without asset sharing, hence little or no capital upon creation the then Midwest state through a popular plebiscite, it was the leadership qualities of our founding fathers that led us into becoming a prosperous economy and socio-political power house in the affairs of Nigeria, as they led by example, thereby galvanizing our best resource endowment yet, the people and their willing determination to succeed.

“Till today, same values still hold dear to Edo people and residents of Edo state alike, even as our political class fail us, at yet such a time as this, when selfless and visionary leadership should matter most.

“We hereby call for renewed determination to retrace our steps, learn to amicably resolve issues and reclaim our enviable position in Nigeria as not only the intellectual and entrepreneurial power house, but the Heartbeat of the Nation. Our strategic location in the geography of Nigeria as the gateway to the West, East, North and South of Nigeria, advantaged with our God given enormous human and natural resources endowment, must count more than it currently does.  

“At UNUEDO Renaissance, our overarching objective remains to promote peaceful coexistence across the state in the spirit of egalitarianism, good governance and the delivery of the much talked about dividends of democracy by every government of the day, with demonstrable commitment to ensuring the well-being of its people. Our members at home and abroad stand ever ready to collaborate with the state government for the good of our kinsfolk across the state.”