Edo State: The Ailing Democratic Heartbeat, Stabbed Repeatedly By Unknown Gunmen

Edo State, once a beacon of progress and development, now finds itself grappling with a myriad of democratic challenges that threaten to undermine its very foundations.

A state, once a vibrant and thriving democratic entity, now lies battered and bruised, where its heartbeat now falters under the weight of repeated democratic assaults.

But the stabbing of Edo State’s heartbeat is not just a metaphor; it is a harsh reality.

The state’s democratic downward spiral is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the recently adopted flouting of the rule of law by politicians.

Like a patient suffering from multiple stab wounds, Edo State’s infrastructure, economy, and social fabric is bleeding profusely at the grassroots with insufficient attention given to drive it, despite the Governor making a willing footprints to establish his blueprints in the state.

The perpetrators of this heinous crime have become “Unknown Gunmen”, chasing and fraudulently replacing a constituted authority.

After weeks of a gale of impeachment escaped across other 17 LGAs, it finally got to the turn of Oredo Government Council to complete the desired cycle.

This time, it was only seen in a viral video circulating across media spaces where unknown councilors showed up like a movie to pronounce the purported impeachment, in the absence of the incumbent councillors who have gone on mandatory break.

Like the Executive Chairman, Oredo Government Council, Dr. Tom Obaseki would describe it when it got to his attention, “it is the product of a criminal act perpetrated by hoodlums and thugs who unlawfully invaded the legislative arm of the council”.

Dr. Obaseki emphasised that, these individuals impersonated the legitimately elected legislators, who are currently on recess, in a failed attempt to undermine the democratic will of the people of Oredo.

He noted that the act represents the height of criminality and lawlessness, which cannot and will not be tolerated in a civilized society like Oredo, urging the public to disregard this video in its entirety, as it is the product of a criminal act perpetrated by hoodlums and thugs.

He said that he remains the duly elected Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, having been given the mandate to serve by the good people of Oredo on the 2nd day of September, 2023.

Now, the question is simple, If this level of impunity is allowed to stand, then tomorrow, anyone could wake up, invade a government house, and declare themselves governor or president.

Such a scenario, according to him, should be seen as unthinkable in a lawful society particularly when we are not in a banana republic where anarchy reigns.

Like Jesus Christ who was challenged by satan for the sins committed by man, the power that be and their unknown gunmen have traced their actions lately to the former Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki who they perceived disobeyed court orders and hope to continue with such immunity.

Politicians must realize that they are a figment of the society and can not continue to revenge when they grab the seat of power. It will suffocate the innocent society and create discord amongst the people.

Although, it is on record that, successive Governors in the state including Senator Adams Oshiomhole once caved a fast one when his government back then, declared somebody else against the candidacy of the PDP, John Yakubu, in Benin, while counting was still ongoing at Uromi for his party ACN to claim victory.

The expectations were high when Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed the seat of power, but in fact, everything in the local government administration has fallen apart.

The state’s democracy has been potholed and decrepit, struggling to provide basic stability.

The signs of distress are evident and I know that the hates over my standpoint will increase bitterly since the local government saga.

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But trust me, if you excavate the last part of my disturbed heartbeat into a dungeon, i will raise a red flag with the only finger left, to show my disdain over a system that promised sanity that is now abandoned, to embrace doolally.

The question on everyone’s lips is: who will stop the stabbing? Who will intervene to save Edo State from itself?

The answer lies with the people of Edo State. It is time for them to rise up and demand change in all forms of democratic rule of law.

It is time for us to hold the leaders accountable, demand transparency and accountability, but not performing illegality.

The people of Edo State have been left to suffer, their voices ignored and their hopes dashed.

The people of Edo State must come together to demand a better future for themselves and their children.

They must reject the status quo and demand democratic change and hold their leaders accountable and ensure that they deliver on their promises.

The root causes of Edo’s malaise are complex and multifaceted because it has been decades of democratic mismanagement, corruption, and poor governance which have all taken their tolls.

Only then can Edo State’s ailing heartbeat be revived, and the state can begin to heal and recover.

Governor Monday Okpebholo is a product of the rule of law, he must be seen vigorously promoting it.