Protesters in free-for-all fight over N200m mansion for Oshiomhole

– Civil organisations in Edo state have protested against the plans by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Edo state Assembly to give ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy N300million mansions

– The government denied that it tried to gag the protesters by setting pro-government supporters on them while the security officials looked on

Edo residents, on Tuesday, November 22, clashed in state capital Benin over plans by the new administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki to give ex-governor Adams Oshiomhole N200million mansion as reward for ruling the state for eight years.

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News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the residents, who were divided between pro-government and anti-government protesters, fought at Ring Road, Benin, when the latter marched through the streets over the amendment of the law for the pension for Oshiomhole and his deputy.

The anti-government protesters, under the aegis of Edo Civil Society Organisations, gathered at the museum ground in Benin early on Tuesday and marched toward the Anthony Enahoro House of Assembly Complex to announce their rejection of the new pension benefits passed for Governor’s assent by the governor.

They were however confronted by supporters of the amendment who blocked them from gaining access to the major entrance of the building in a clash that lasted almost one hour. The supporters drove the CSO members away while security officials simply stood by and watched.

Spokesperson for the civil society groups Osazee Edigin said his members were attacked by thugs allegedly sponsored by the government.

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‘’They mobilised thugs to attack us and we are trying to revive a guy who fainted, the thugs have taken over Ring Road,’’ Edigin said.

But John Mayaki, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo Governor, said the state government there was no iota of truth in the claim of the CSOs because the government would not in any way attempt to gag the people’s freedom.

NAIJ.com recalls that the Oshiomhole house reward saga began when Edo State Assembly amended the “2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law” in order to ensure that the Oshiomhole and his deputy Pius Odubu got residential buildings worth N200million.

The bill is now awaiting the assent of new state governor Godwin Obaseki who Oshiomhole worked hard in the campaigns to get into power.

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