- To Stage Protest at UN during Heads of States High-level Meetings Sept
- Want Buhari to Investigate Oshiomhole’s Alleged Misconducts
By The New Diplomat’s Political Desk
As the gathering political crisis in Edo State deepens following the face-off between incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and his immediate predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, international pro-democracy activists and stakeholders have waded into the festering political issues, accusing Oshiomhole of “unacceptable, unethical and vexatious acts and conducts capable of undermining peace, stability and the very fundamental elements of democracy and the Rule of Law.”
In a 10-page petition to the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and President Mohammadu Buhari, the activists and concerned international stakeholders under the auspices of “Global Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency” with representatives said to be drawn from over 25 minority rights organizations across the Americas including the United States, accused the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Oshiomhole of sundry acts and alleged misdeeds bordering on massive attempts to cover up allegations of corruption and frustrate openness, transparency, justice and the Rule of Law which are fundamental pillars of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.
A copy of the petition sighted by The New Diplomat and signed on behalf of the Global Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency, by Comrade Alex Igbano urged both President Buhari and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to ask Oshiomhole to step aside as National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC) “in order for him to face on-going investigations by the Edo State Government on alleged questionable contract deals with regards the award of contracts for the construction of structures, supply of equipment to the Benin Central Hospital, acts alleged committed during the administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.”
The Coalition which said as part of its on-going strategy of drawing international attention to the vexatious and alleged unbecoming misdeeds of the former Edo State Governor, it has concluded arrangements to stage a global protest at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday September 24, during the 74th United Nations General Assembly Session which kicks-off with a high-level debates which President Buhari and host UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres are billed to attend. The statement which urged the UN SG and President Buhari to urgently ask Oshiomhole to step-down in the meantime to face on-going probe into his alleged “questionable award of tendentious contracts while held sway as Edo State Governor” read in parts;” It is our firm belief that for natural justice, Rule of Law, Transparency and Accountability which a great pillars of any democracy and indeed, the foundation upon which the Buhari-led government was voted into power, to thrive, the former Governor of Edo State should immediately step down form office as National Chairman of the ruling APC in order to face on-going investigations into alleged irregularities that characterized his government’s contracts awards in Edo State during his reign. We as stakeholders wish to use this medium to draw the attention of the international community to the on-going actions by Comrade Oshiomhole to undermine democracy, Rule of Law and transparency in Nigeria. This is most unacceptable, highly injurious to parity and justice. It is normal for any government and it is not peculiar to that of Edo State to investigate where there are alleged financial infractions. It is in this light that we commend President Buhari for his courage and determination to rid the country of corrupt elements masquerading as politicians and comrades.”
This is coming on the heels of a resolution by the Federal House of Representatives to intervene in the crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly. This followed a motion seconded by Hon Julius Ihonvbere who said he noted with concern the issues rocking the Edo State House of Assembly. But in its reaction, the Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency insisted that Oshiomhole is merely trying to use “ the back door to frustrate the legitimate, legal and justifiable quest by the good people of Edo State to have the various allegations of financial infractions allegedly perpetuated during his administration o be swept under the carpet and that we cannot accept because the funds involved belong to Edo people and tax-payers.”
