On Tuesday, the Edo State Government explained its decision to delay the start of the school year. Pupils and students in both public and private schools were initially scheduled to resume on Monday, September 9. However, Governor Godwin Obaseki has pushed back the resumption date.
The extension has been criticized by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which condemned the move. The APC claimed that Governor Obaseki’s plan to shut down Edo State starting September 15 was part of a strategy to organize mass protests. The party alleged that these protests would involve other PDP-controlled states and aim to provoke military intervention at the Federal level.
According to Prince Kassim Afegbua,APC Media Campaign Director in a statement in Benin-City, “Obaseki informed a meeting at Government House that other PDP-controlled states would postpone the resumption dates of schools to orchestrate a nationwide protest that would lead to military takeover. He reportedly told them that he would rather disrupt the country for a change of government than lose Edo State to the opposition APC.”
Responding in a press briefing, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said, “Government decided to extend school resumption date to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.”
He said, “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 the cost of living.”
Besides, Nehikhare said intelligence reports available to the government alleged that the APC had imported armed thugs with a view to causing mayhem in the state.
“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 diffuse the situation softly.
“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”, Nehikhare declared.
