‘We Say No To Constitution Amendment Without Due Process’ – Edo Tipper Union Members

…appeals to government, security agencies for intervention

By Simeon OSAJIE

Aggrieved Members Of Tipper Drivers Association of Nigeria, (TDAN), representing Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, St. Saviour, Oka and Oghede branches have appealed to the Edo State Government, the State House Of Assembly, all security agencies in the  State to urgently call their  chairman Austin Nosakhare Uhunmwangho to order so as  to avoid break down of law and order in the Union.

The aggrieved members in a peaceful protest to the Edo State House Of Assembly with different  placards bearing various inscriptions such as: “Uhumwagho Our Constitution Is 4 tenure, “No To Constitution Amendment Without Due Process”, “Austin Uhumwagho  Obey The Association Of 4 Years”, “No To 5 Years Tenure, Enough is Enough”, etc.

In their petition titled: “Petition Against Comrade Austin Nosakhare Uhumwagho” and signed on behalf of Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, St. Saviour, Oka and Oghede branches by Osaro Aigbekean, Festus Emuhu and Frank Aghimien, said, their members have been oppressed, marginalized and brutalized by the outgoing chairman of the Association, Comrade Austin Nosakhare Uhumwangho whose tenure ends on the 17^th of October, 2023.

According to them, “Uhumwagho was elected as State Chairman of the association on the 17^th  of October, 2019, and his tenure ends in October 2023. But, against the will of the members and contrary to the procedure as provided in Article 11 of the Constitution of the Edo Tipper Drivers Association Of Nigeria dated 5^th July, 2022, went ahead to unlawfully and unilaterally alter the provisions of Article 6 of the said Constitution and increased his tenure in office to Five (5) years.”

Spokesman of the protesters, Joseph Idahosa said, “Uhumwagho’s tenure is elapsing on the 17^th of October 2023. He came up with an amendment of the Constitution which we don’t know when it was amended. We that oppose him have been placed on suspension. Our children are at home now because we are not allowed to work. We have written to the Governor of Edo State and the Hon. Speaker of the State House of Assembly and all the security agencies in the state to come to our aid.”

Also speaking, Festus Emuhu  said, “we are appealing to the Edo State Governor to come to our aid. Uhumwagho said he will kill us if we don’t support his actions.”

Receiving the protesters, the Director of Information, Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Faith Enoma assured the protesters that their petition will be given urgent attention by the House. She appealed to them to go about it peacefully.

When contacted through telephone interview, the State Chairman, Comrade Austin Uhunmwangho said, “they are not true members of the association, they are just looking for ways to foment crisis in the Association.”