By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN — Benin Youth Council, BYC, a socio-cultural organisation in Edo State, has described as an insult, alleged call by a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Col. Paul Ogbebor(rtd), on two-time governor of the old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia to quit politics.

Also, a Chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state, Mr. Crosby Eribo, condemned what he described as a “sad and unfair comment” on the person of Dr. Ogbemudia and called on Ogbebor to tender an unreserved apology to both the Bini and Dr. Ogbemudia.

Ogbebor had, in an interview with Vanguard, faulted the leadership qualities of Dr. Ogbemudia in Edo South Senatorial District and urged him to quit politics.

However, reacting through a statement by the National Secretary of the BYC, Mr. Ambrose Ehiozuwa, the association recalled Dr. Ogbemudia’s contributions of to the growth of the nation and the Bini race in particular, adding any aspersions on Dr. Ogbemudia was not only unfair but an insult to the Bini.

The statement read: “In the interview by Col. Paul Ogbebor(rtd), wherein he cast aspersions on our respected father and leader, Dr. Ogbemudia, is to say the least an unprovoked attack on the sensibilities of the Bini who are irked by the marginalisation of Bini nation since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.

“In fact, the summary of Dr. Ogbemudia-led Enunuedo’s declaration was a wake-up call on the Edo South people to brace up for the challenges of setting an agenda that will determine how our people will be governed.

“Ogbebor’s allegation of failure by Dr. S.O. Ogbemudia’s political leadership is to the best of our knowledge personal and irrelevant to the struggle for a better standard of living for our people.

“We are giving Ogbebor seven days to apologise to Dr. Ogbemudia because his comment was unnecessary and an insult to the Bini.

“The former governor has paid his dues in the politics of the nation and the state. Ogbebor is too small to cast aspersion on our leader.”