The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has expressed its disapproval of the recent amendments to the Edo State pension law for governors and deputy governors. The modifications, enacted by the preceding assembly, now extend to Speakers and Deputy Speakers, a move that the CRPP deems against the interests of the people and regressive.
In a press conference in Benin City on Tuesday, the CRPP’s chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, criticized the 7th assembly for its lack of vibrancy and for failing to enact laws that serve the people’s interests.
Dr. Isibor voiced his intent to rally the public to protest if the governor ratifies the bill. He stated, “It is uncalled for. It is unimaginable that at this material time when people are suffering and lamenting, a governor and his cohorts are now allocating pensions to themselves. If the governor signs that bill into law, we will call out the citizens of Edo State to protest against the governor because it is uncalled for.
He questioned the governor’s actions, asking, “What has the governor done for the people that he is now allocating new amounts to themselves? He pointed out the lack of basic amenities like roads, electricity, and health facilities, and compared the situation unfavorably with other states where governors are actively aiding their citizens.
Dr. Isibor accused the governor of being unresponsive to the people’s needs, saying, “He is not a listening governor. He never listened to the cry of the people. The citizens cannot have three square meals a day, the farmers are lamenting that they cannot access their farms, and we have a governor who never listens to them, but he listens to how to cut the cake and make sure they carry our money away.”
Regarding the previous House of Assembly, Dr. Isibor stated, “We did not elect him to come to carry away our patrimony in this state, we have endured enough, if he signs that thing, we will protest against it because it is an anti-masses bill. He dismissed the former assembly members as ineffective, saying, “Don’t mind them, those ones were toothless bulldogs, we don’t reckon with them, they were not for the people, they went there to be yes men so that they would get their own share of the cake.
