Pro-government and anti-government protesters clashed in Benin on Tuesday over the alleged plan of the Edo Government to build N300 million retirement homes for former Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy.
The pro-government group and members of some civil society organisations (CSOs) fought at Ring Road, Benin, when the latter marched through the streets over the amendment of the law for the pension of the governor.
Edo State House of Assembly last week amended the 2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law to include the provision of a building valued N200 million for a former governor and N100 million for his deputy.
Justin Okunobor, the speaker of the assembly, had said that the new provision was justified as there was an existing law on pension benefits for former governors and deputies.
Civil society groups have criticised the move.
Anti-government protesters, under the aegis of Edo Civil Society Organisations, had converged on the museum ground in Benin as early 8 a.m. and marched toward the Anthony Enahoro House of Assembly Complex to announce their rejection of the new pension benefits.
The civil society groups were confronted by those who support the amendment, who prevented them from gaining access to the major entrance of the building.
The challenge resulted in the CSO members running away, while security operatives who had taken position at strategic positions around the assembly premises watched.
Some protesters sustained injuries during the fight which lasted about an hour, while some vehicles and public address systems used by the CSOs were vandalised.
As a result of the fight, passersby scampered to safety.
The spokesperson for the civil society groups, Osazee Edigin, said his members were attacked by thugs allegedly sponsored by the government.
‘’They mobilized thugs to attack us and we are trying to revive a guy who fainted, the thugs have taken over Ring Road,’’ Edigin said.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo Governor, John Mayaki, said the state government recognised the rights and freedom of citizens to express their opinion on public issues and would not do anything to infringe on their freedom.
Mr. Mayaki said there was no iota of truth in the claim of the CSOs as the government would not in any way attempt to gag the people’s freedom.
Source: NAN
Haba
That’s outrageous oh
Is the house he is currently staying in bad self
Ahah, this is very funny.
Nigerian Leaders and their various means of siphoning public funds!
This man did not achieve any notable thing in edo state and he was even elected because he was a former Labour Union boss.
He simply dashed our hopes…
N200M not too much for such project? They should reconsider before using the funds
nawa oo, things happening at times to deceive the public’s view about an issue
I can’t believe I’m seeing this,
very funny though.
Hmmmmm…. NIGERIA AND our leaders… Funny how these things works
Good read I must say. Excessive should be put in check
This is really funny
what a good move. the Gov is trying