Group Criticizes Obaseki For Depriving Opposition Parties From Displaying Banners, Billboards
By Simeon OSAJIE
A group known as Benin Solidarity Movement, (BSM) worldwide, a social political pressure and non-governmental organization, has criticized Mr. Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State, for allegedly depriving opposition parties right to display posters, banners and billboards across the 18 local government area that made up the state.
In a statement issued and signed by its president, Comrade Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Benin City, accused Governor Obaseki of playing politics of bitterness by denying other political parties the right to access to government public facilities in the state.
According to Comrade Ugbo, “our attention has been drawn to the unscrupulous/undemocratic action(s) of Governor Obaseki and his agents to stop commercial vehicles loading in the various motor parks across the state with the sticker or poster of the All Progressives Party (APC), Labour Party (LP) and other political parties from loading or less they have the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s sticker or banner which must belong to his faction of the PDP.
“I want to remind Governor Obaseki that he is the governor of Edo State people not a governor of a factional political party. We all voted for him when he was in All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the Governor of Edo State without any form of intimidation as being experienced now under his watch.
“Obaseki has turned Edo State into Banana Republic politically; he does not allow opposition parties to operate freely in the State.”
Going further, Comrade Ugbo added, “Benin Solidarity Movement (BMS) want to informed Governor Obaseki that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives every citizen the right to freedom of expression, freedom to associate, participate and play politics without any restrictions thereby giving all and sundry a level playing field to make their political decisions cum choices, cum sense of belongings.”
He therefore advised Governor Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow other political parties in the state campaign as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
