Edo Election: Government Delays School Resumption Citing Security Threats from APC, Opposition Calls PDP Claims Baseless

Amidst upbraid by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC over its decision to postpone schools’ resumption in Edo State indefinitely, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP government in the state on Tuesday defended its action, citing safety and security concerns, and economic hardship imposed on residents following increase in pump price of fuel by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from N590 to N897, though independent marketers sell as high as N1, 200 in many stations in Benin and most parts of the state.

The government said its decision was also informed by intelligence report of threats posed by the APC, which it said had “reportedly imported, and armed, thugs that are causing mayhem across the state”. These actions, the government said, “raise serious alarms”.

The APC, however, denied the allegations, insisting that it had no reason to import thugs into the state to disrupt the school system when children were eager to go back to school and parents had paid school fees and bought books. The party said it had been campaigning “like every other political party that means well for Edo, and we cannot use thugs to attack those we want their votes”.

Recall that the state government had on Saturday announced postponement of schools’ resumption from Monday, September 9 till further notice “due to the tension from the recent increase in fuel prices and the challenges faced by parents and guardians”. A statement signed by the permanent secretary, ministry of education, Ojo Akin-Longe, urged parents, guardians and caregivers to closely monitor the activities of their children and wards in the light of the current situation.

Swiftly reacting to the postponement, however, the APC dismissed the directive as “expensive political gimmick”, linking it to the September 21 governorship election in the state.

While stating that the government’s action was least expected, the APC expressed surprise that the state government could be “sacrificing” children’s educational pursuits because of politics, noting that the hike in petrol price had been a recurrence, and cannot derail the educational system.

The state publicity secretary of the party, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, told journalists that “Nobody is protesting the hike, and no parents have complained that they cannot take their children to school for learning. To every rational individual, the state government has erred again. It is one of the mistakes of the state government”.

But defending the decision on Tuesday, the government, in a statement by the commissioner for communication and orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said the extension of resumption date was “to ensure the safety and well-being of our children”.

Nehikhare accused the APC of adopting a “desperate strategy” to foist a state of emergency on the state by engaging in “reckless behaviour that has resulted in the shooting of innocent individuals”, and then shift the blame to the PDP.

According to Nehikhare, “This decision is rooted in our deep commitment to protecting our children from all forms of danger including the possible consequences of the astronomical increase in the price of fuel as well as the concomitant increase in cost of living.

“We are also mindful of the intelligence report we received about the threats posed by the APC, who have reportedly imported and armed thugs that are causing mayhem across the state. Because the safety of our children is paramount, we do not want to take any chances hence we are keeping our children in the safety of their homes until we defuse the situation shortly.

“The APC’s actions, including their reckless behaviour that has resulted in the shooting of innocent individuals, raise serious alarms. We believe that these actions are part of a desperate strategy to instigate a state of emergency and shift the blame onto the PDP.

“We also want to clarify that apart from the public holidays on Monday and Friday, we have implemented mechanisms to ensure that any learning loss during this extended period will be effectively addressed. Our commitment to our children’s education remains unwavering, and we will work diligently to regain any lost instructional time.

“Our priority is the safety and education of our children. We will continue to take necessary measures to protect our communities and ensure that our schools are safe environments for learning. We urge the public to remain vigilant and to work together to maintain peace and stability in Edo State”.

Debunking the PDP’s claims, spokesperson of the APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, said “We the parents have paid school fees, bought books, uniforms for the children to go back to school and they are enthusiastic. There is no reason for any sane person to postpone the resumption. On what basis is the APC importing thugs into the state? We have been campaigning like every other political party that means well for Edo, and we cannot use thugs to attack those we want their votes.

“Everyone has accepted us as the new page of Edo. The people have been in darkness for the past eight years and the light has come through the APC. We have been campaigning for a free, fair and credible election.

“All we want is election devoid of violence, rancour and bias. This unfounded allegation is one of the political gimmicks of the PDP because they have lost direction.”