BENIN CITY —  Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, CGGEJA, has  said it has uncovered plans by some disgruntled politicians to blackmail and ridicule the Adams  Oshiomhole-led administration in Edo State through paid demonstrations, protests and orchestrated media sympathies.

“This unfolding strategy is aimed at blackmailing the government to surrender and submit to their failures, self pity, underserved and inordinate requests”, the group’s Director of Planing and Strategy, Mr. Olushola Iyogun has said.

In a statement  entitled: “Of Paid Demonstrations, Protests et al, Stop blackmailing Oshiomhole,”  Iyogun said: “It is only in an open and civil government like in Edo State that you experience consistent and orchestrated protests to government and on the streets of Benin City and media houses by some disgruntled individuals who want to reap where and when they have not sowed.

“A case in point is the natural disaster in 2012 that affected part of Ogba Zoo, along Airport Road where a construction company  engaged by the state government was blamed for it and subsequently demanded for over N80 million as compensation.
“We have also witnessed the foul cry of some who hide under the guise of Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, to blackmail government. It is only in Edo State you see people deliberately violating the law while absolving or abdicating themselves of their social responsibilities and thereby blame the dire consequences on government.”

“Take for instance, the number of commuters driving against traffic lights and those who built their houses on natural water ways and moats. People with big mansions without drainage facilities and persons who deliberately silt up drains must be ready to battle flood water whenever heaven opens up.
“I have traversed the entire length and breadth of Benin City and discovered to my chagrin that a most celebrated Benin chief with palatial residence to the full length of a street has no drainage facility in and around his house.”