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The deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shiabu, has countered Governor Godwin Obaseki’s position to return the suspended Edo State Security Network after the September 21 governorship election.
He accused the governor of taking actions that would cause chaos in the state by the time he leaves office on November 12.
Shaibu stated this on Tuesday while speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, where he also faulted Obaseki’s decision to appoint a traditional ruler for Okpella in Etsako East local government area, which has reportedly caused some deaths.
The governor had, after the State Security Council meeting for October, on Monday said that since the election was over, the vigilante would be brought back for the anticipated rise in accidents and criminal activities during the ’ember’ months, among other reasons.
But Shaibu told journalists, “I have to come to see the Commissioner of Police to explain to him that the Edo vigilante cannot resume work. The Edo vigilante that we have as constituted today is to cause mayhem to political opponents.
“As the deputy governor of Edo State I have security reports, both official and unofficial, so I am aware that the governor and his team want to get them (vigilante) back to use them to cause disharmony in the state and go after APC members that are protesting.
“Every citizen of this country has the right to protest and also protect his or her own interest. The PDP protested at the INEC office, and the APC also protested at the place to ensure that there was no tampering with election materials, but he wanted to use the vigilante to intimidate people.
“What I expect the police to be doing now is to recover the arms and ammunition in the hands of these vigilantes. As we speak, the Nigerian police is doing well. Some of the personnel that came during the election and their equipment are still around for post-election security issues, so why is the governor in a hurry to bring vigilantes back?
“Some decisions the governor is making are causing problems in the state. Imagine four weeks to go; he is giving office staff to some traditional rulers. What stopped this governor, for the past five years, from installing the Okueokulagbe of Okpella? I am told that some people died on Monday because of that singular action.
“The Okueokulagbe died over five years ago, and the council brought names for him to announce, but he refused to cause a crisis.
