Edo State Governor Adams
Oshiomhole yesterday accused the Federal Government of oppressing the
opposition governors.
Oshiomhole spoke at the Government House while receiving a team
of visiting top Muslim clerics and Imams.
Oshiomhole commended the Imams for demonstrating an uncommon
courage to speak the truth to those in the corridors of power without fear.
He said it was lamentable that men who occupy high political
positions and who go to church on Sundays to receive Holy Communion or to
mosque on Fridays to shout Allahu Akbar return and turn the truth upside down
because of the political exigencies of the moment in fear of man rather than
God.
The governor said: “If governors can be oppressed, you Imams
cannot only be oppressed but suppressed. If you uphold the truth, you should
speak that truth to power. When people use power to oppress and suppress, they
are playing God and they shall come to judgement before God.
“I am convinced that all of us should only be afraid of the fear
of God and not the fear of man because man is a traveller on this planet. We
have birth and death days. I agree with you absolutely.
“My union training taught me that an injury to one is an injury
to all and that when one is attacked, all are under attack and that only the
fool will think that (because) it is not yet his turn, therefore, he should
look away.
“In Rivers State, it is clear that one side behaved
irresponsibly and it is that side that should be called to order and they are
rightly identified as the five men who chose to assume to be more than 27 men.
“If men are afraid of the truth, God will uphold the truth and that is what
keeps some of us going. I am fortified by the determination to stand by the
truth: whether it is sweet or bitter.”
Led by the Chief Imam of Benin, who is also the Chairman, League
of Imams in Edo State, Mallam Abdul-Fattah Enabulele, the clerics commended the
governor for opposing same sex marriage even in the face of pressure from some
European Union countries and the United States of America.
They also expressed support for the recent execution of three
condemned criminals after their death warrants had been signed by the governor,
stressing that it was in accordance with the laws of God.
In his statement during the visit, Enabulele commended
Oshiomhole for abiding by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic and his efforts to uphold and support the African value system.
The Imams said: “Recently, when the governor signed the warrant
for four convicted criminals in the state, there were criticisms from some
quarters. We, the League of Imams, took a look at the gravity of the crime
which they committed that warranted such. After carefully studying the briefing
of the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State on the issue,
we were satisfied that Edo State government has done the right thing at the
right time.
“Even the Almighty God will not be happy if the governor had not
signed the death warrant. Apart from the Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, the Holy Books – the Bible and Glorious Quran – support that those
who kill by the sword shall die by the sword. “Those criticising your action
should study the constitution properly and seriously evaluate the seriousness
of the crime committed by these fellows. It was a grievous crime committed
against innocent souls, nobody has the right to take another person’s soul,”
they stated.
The Imams also took a swipe at the Presidency for recognising
and openly courting Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang’s faction of the Nigerian
Governors’ Forum even when it garnered 16 votes against the 19 votes cast for
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.
They also criticised the Presidency for recognising a factional
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Bipi, who emerged Speaker
with the support of only five lawmakers out of the 32-member legislative
chamber.
The Imams said: “When the good people refuse to do something,
evil people will continue to prosper in that environment. The latest drama in
Rivers State is not an issue one should shy away from. It is not only a slap
and shame on our democracy, it is a civilian coup d’état that is treasonable in
nature.
“An attack on the state governor, who is the authentic chairman
of the forum, is an attack on all state governors,” they claimed.
via National mirror
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