By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tuesday, called on the state government to pay compensation to those whose houses were destroyed illegally in the state capital.

The party, through its state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, described the ordered arrest and prosecution of the chairman of the state Task Force on Illegal Structures, Major Lawrence Loye, by Governor Adams Oshiom-hole as an attempt to play politics with the people of the state.

The governor, who was furious over the illegal demolition of some houses, including that of two-time Governor of old Bendel State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia and that of the former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, without clearance from the state government, ordered that the task force chairman be arrested and prosecuted by the police.

However, Chief Orbih condemned what he described as the inhuman behaviour meted on the task force chairman during his arrest, adding that it would be difficult for the Governor to extricate himself from the actions of the committee which he set up.

He said: “I think Oshiomhole is playing politics with the people of Edo State. I believe the time has come when people should own up to their actions and inaction.

“Major Loye is an appointee of government and this government must be man enough to take full responsibility for his actions.” of Loye and members of his committee.

“He was given a mandate by the ACN government in Edo State to destroy homes of innocent citizens, especially those belonging to PDP. Like you all know, there is nothing to gain when you apply medicine after death. All I expect the Governor to do is to apologise to the people of the state for his actions so far and not playing to the gallery.”