THE Benin Indigenous People’s Assembly (BIPA) is a Pan-Benin Registered Trustee, aimed at promoting the socio-cultural and economic well-being of the Benins. Our members cut across various professions, sectors and industries.
This statement is caused by the recent activities of Dr. Pedro Obaseki (a.k.a. Don Pedro) who a while ago was a member of BIPA.
In particular, his incessant ‘Voice Notes’ that has become habitual to him, are inimical to the peaceful co-existence of Edo State.
We have noticed with concern his misplaced decision to cause disunity amongst the various cultural components that make Edo people, the pride of Nigeria.
Like most forward looking Edo people, we are concerned and embarrassed by the message of disunity that Pedro’s Voice Notes attempted to convey.
As sordid as it was, as a group that speaks on Benin interest, we emphatically say that everything Pedro peddled in his first and second Voice Notes were all borne out of his malice and mischief against his target. Pedro only attempted to hide under the Benin interest, which he doesn’t represent, to take a revenge on his target.
Edo is a homogeneous state with indivisible ancestral history. Our heritage withstood external aggressions from imperialists and feudalists, therefore, every right thinking patriot must fight back elements, hired or self appointed, that are positioned to divide Edo people.
What Pedro has canvassed will only have negative impact on our social, economic and cultural values and for this reason, the Board of Patrons, Board of Trustees and Distinguished Members of BIPA have unanimously approved the expulsion of Dr. Pedro Obaseki.
His expulsion is premised on his confessional statement that he personally redistributed his Voice Note and other contributions to debates on the floor of BIPA’s Assembly, to non members.
His expulsion is based also, on his attempt to deviously and irresponsibly abandon his confessional statement (as being responsible for the distribution of the disturbing Voice Note), to blame members of BIPA in his second Voice Note, that he circulated to his audience in ‘Midwest Peoples Movement’.
To us in BIPA, these offenses are considered grave.
We plead with our traditional rulers and everybody to be vigilant and resist Pedro Obaseki and anyone, either from Edo South, Edo Central or Edo North in their destructive ethnic stereotypical narratives.
Our diversity has many benefits and this is responsible for our open-mindedness and we must use same to dispel negative stereotypes.
There is no other time than now to stand as one indivisible entity, because there are verifiable records that major conflicts have cultural dimension to them.
We plead with all community leaders to play their role to ensure continuous advancement of the state.
Long Live Edo State!
Oba ‘Ghato Okpere!! Iseeeee!!!
*Signed: BOARD OF TRUSTEES