Emma Njoku
A group, Benin Indigenous People Assembly (BIPA), has made a strong appeal to Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to use his good offices to stem the use of Edo youths as thugs by politicians.
In a statement its Secretary General, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, BIPA condemned the rising acts of thuggery and political barbarism, which it said is inimical to the development of Nigeria.
The group, particularly, frowned at a recent incident where youths, allegedly, of Edo origin, were arrested in buses, on their way to Akwa Ibom State, to be used as thugs for electoral violence.
“The news of arrest of thugs, allegedly from Edo State, in buses moving into Akwa-Ibom State, was received by our well-meaning people with great dismay, and shock.
“That some youths are still recruited to go and commit electoral violence, in spite of the military warning against such, shows the wickedness of some of our politicians and political class.
“We at Benin Indigenous People Assembly (BIPA) vehemently condemn any acts of thuggery and political barbarism, as such is inimical to the development of Nigeria. Therefore, we disassociate ourselves from these acts and frown at the deployment of our young people to seek election victory through forms of electoral violence and infractions.
“The mention of names of Edo State origin, in association with the arrested thugs, who were essentially youths, is abominable and alien to our entrenched and globally renowned culture of civilisation, peace and universally acceptable etiquette and public conduct,” BIPA said.
BIPA urged the Benin monarch to “invoke the gods of great Benin Kingdom against such shameless and ignoble politicians, who preserve their own and set the children of the poor on the path of destruction.
“Such politicians should bury their heads in shame, especially as they have failed to fulfil their promises of providing jobs for the youths.
“We warn all such desperate politicians to desist from their ungodly ways or face eternal condemnation.”
The group appealed to Oba Ewuare II, to bring his strong and progressive stance against the erring politicians as he has done against the syndrome of Yahoo boys and human trafficking.
“We fervently plead that Omo N’Oba should take more stringent steps against these wicked politicians misguiding our youths and leading them on the path of perfidy and destruction.
The Oba of Benin should invoke the gods of great Benin Kingdom against such shameless and ignoble politicians who preserve their own and set the children of the poor on the path of destruction.
The group further implored the youths to eschew all forms of nefarious activities and generate creative means of survival with all abundant opportunities in an increasing globalised world.