The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said that the crises in the state following the hijack of #EndSARS protest is politically motivated.
The. Governor spoke on Thursday at an interactive meeting with representatives of youth groups and organisations at the Government House,Benin city.
Obaseki said: “I am worried about the level of criminality. Parts of the fight we had in our first term was the issue of maintaining law and order and fighting criminality as lots of these criminals hid under the cover of the godfathers who called them their infantry, lions and tigers.
Without law and order, there can’t be economic growth as no one will be able to invest. You could see them in the last few days, the way they came out pouncing on people’s private properties.”
He added, “The crisis in Edo is not the #ENDSARS protests but political as the government supports the #ENDSARS protests. Just as we defeated them in the election, we will contain them. With my #ENDSARS people, we are going to arrest them and put them back to the zoo.
According to him, his administration recognises the role played by youths in his re-election, adding that his administration plans to appoint 60 per cent of youths under the age of 40 in his second term in office.
The governor said his government has no problem with peaceful protests, adding, “I asked the police to give you protection but the leadership of the police have a choice to either obey me or not as I don’t have power to fire the Police Commissioner.
“Our position as a government is to support the position of the #ENDSARS protesters as their demand is legitimate,” assuring the youths that he is on their side.
He added: “The Panel of Inquiry is the first step to go and we have instructed that the number of members be increased to 20 to accommodate other groups. The panel has 90 days and I urge you all to give evidence to the panel which should be documented as it will enable us to work as we implement the report of the panel.
“Our security arrangements in the country must reflect our Federal system as I can’t be a governor of a state and not be able to hire and fire my Commissioner of Police, but the #ENDSARS has helped us start the process.
The Public Works Volunteer (PUWOV) is a version of our neighborhood watch in the state. We have 900 people being trained. 1,100 others will be trained after this set and another 20 persons per ward will be hired to be in charge of public safety.
“As the governor, I will do everything within my power to have strong internal security as we need to protect ourselves.
