BENIN CITY ––A mammoth crowd of Edo State people who included a large number of leaders and youths of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trooped out to give a rousing welcome to the state Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor on his arrival from Abuja, at the airport in Benin City yesterday.
Addressing a delegation of PDP leaders and Youths who later paid him a solidarity and courtesy visit inside Government House, Prof. Osunbor expressed his belief in the rule of law and respect for all arms of government, including the judiciary which he said, were partners in the democracy being practiced in Nigeria today.
“At this very point, we want to re-emphasise, what we have said over and over again, that we respect the integrity and independence of the judiciary and I believe that our opponents believe in the impartiality and independence of the judiciary which was why they went there in the first place”, he said.
The governor stressed the need for the opponents to allow “the judiciary to do its work unimpeded, unhindered and unintimidated”.
On the infringement of freedom of movement and obstruction of traffic in Benin City by anybody as a way of testing popularity, Prof. Osunbor warned that such situation would not be tolerated any longer in the state stressing that the Police had been alerted on the development.
He, however, said he was not against anybody’s freedom of speech and movement but that the people should resist any attempt to foment trouble in the state and report same to the security agents.
While affirming that he believes in the principle of live and let live, he said the PDP was on ground, and well-behaved party people who do not intimidate others.
He advised them to maintain their good conduct pointing out that they had no need to be afraid but to put their trust in God.
Also speaking, Deputy Chairman, PDP, Edo State, Hon. Clement Edo Osagie explained that they were in Government House to demonstrate their solidarity with the governor.
The PDP Chieftain, who recalled that Prof. Osunbor had immensely provided infrastructures and ensured socio-economic development across the state, asserted that he would not be left alone, adding that no judicial fraud could deny him his position.
While emphasising that the opposition had been tolerated enough, Hon. Edo Osagie said “enough is enough,” and that the governor as the Chief Security Officer of the state, should ensure that there was peace and security in the state.
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