BSM Kicks Over Alleged Interference in Community Affairs By Governor’s Aide

…Urges Okpebholo to call aide to order

By Simeon OSAJIE

Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide has urged Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to call his Special Adviser on Security to order on what they described as his alleged interference in community affairs in the State.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the President of BSM, Elder Comrade Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and Secretary, Comrade Osayande Osaghae Goodluck made available to journalists in Benin.

They said the attention of the BSM worldwide was drawn to the alleged unscrupulous activities of one Paul Akhere (SA) to Edo State Governor on Security who has suddenly turned himself to a mini overlord inside Government House by taking side with rebellious indigents who are fighting against the constituted Odionweres and Okaigheles by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).

They pointed out that the said Special Adviser was recently seen in a video taking side with some rebellious non indigenes of Orior-Ozolua Community in Uhunwonde Local Government area thereby fueling and promoting the continuous communal crisis which has led to the destruction of properties in the community.

They noted and reminded the general public that for the Odionwere’s position of any community in Benin Kingdom is solely the decision of the Revered Oba of Benin who is the sole custodian of the Culture/Tradition of the people while the position of Okaighele is the decision of the Odionwere and elders in council in the community.

According to them, “We are saying that Paul Akhere as the Special Adviser to the State Governor is supposed to work closely with security agencies in the state to combat crime and criminalities away from the state and not involving himself in community crisis of any form, in any corrupt manner or selfish interest,” they said.

“We are hereby calling on the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to call the said Paul Akhere to order, as his primary and secondary responsibilities/objective as the SA on Security to the Governor is not for him to determine who becomes the Odionwere or Okaighele of any community in Benin kingdom”, they added.

They re-emphasized that it is the only great Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II CFR that have the constituted authority to give order on the installation of any Odionwere in Benin kingdom.

In his reaction levelled against him by BSM, the SA on Security to Edo Governor, Paul Akhere said the governor is the Chief security officer of the state and must ensure peace continuous to reign accross the state.

According to him, “As an SA on Security, I don’t go outside to see what is going on without the permission of my principal, Governor Monday Okpebholo.

“So, the issue of Okaighele in Orior-Ozolua Community, the governor has given instruction to the Odionwere of the community to pick another Okaighele for peace to reign since the people of Orior-Ozolua community are against the Okaighele since he has served 18 years in office.”