The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged Governor Monday Okpebholo to take responsibility for the Uromi killings, instead of deflecting the responsibility to the suspended Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin.
Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Commitee, Tony Aziegbemi, gave the challenge in a press statement made available to reporters in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Monday.
Aziegbemi said it’s shameful and ignoble for Gov. Okpebholo to use his appointees as cannon fodder to deflect blame for the Uromi incident, rather than taking full responsibility as the chief security officer of the state.
“As the Governor of Edo State, Okpebholo is the chief security officer and is, at all times, fully and primarily responsible for the protection of lives and property within his jurisdiction.
“The powers vested in him by the constitution as a governor come with significant responsibilities, privileges, and perks.
“Okpebholo cannot continue to enjoy the benefits of being governor, while shirking responsibility when it comes to being held accountable or fulfilling the demands and expectations of his office. His primary duty is to protect lives and property.
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“From the rising incidents of abductions, killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks, which have claimed at least 100 lives in the past few months since he got into office, the situation has now climaxed with the tragic lynching and brutal killing of 16 innocent northerners who were traveling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to their home state.
“Instead of taking full responsibility, bearing the brunt and taking deliberate steps to address the security challenges head-on, Okpebholo is once again shifting blame, this time onto the head of the vigilante group, Ibadin, who he personally engaged and has now gotten the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him,” Aziegbemi said.
The PDP caretaker committee chairman condemned the governor’s ignoble action in its entirety, warning that such deflections of responsibility will not work.
He added that “as long as Okpebholo remains the chief security officer of the state, he must take full responsibility.
Aziegbemi called on the federal government, civil society organizations, the people of Edo State, and all relevant stakeholders to hold Gov. Okpebholo accountable because security and protection of lives and properties in Edo State is his primary responsibility, not anyone else’s.