Youths, women protest against Obaseki’s suspension of council boss

Economic activities were disrupted for four hours in Auchi and its environs as youths and women protested against the suspension of Chairman of Etsako West Local Council of Edo State, Musa Yakubu, by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Barricading the busy Auchi-Okenne-Abuja highway, the placard-carrying protesters later marched to the council secretariat within the town, chanting anti-government slogans.

The council chief was axed for alleged fraud.

Spokesman for the demonstrators, Muhammad Momoh, faulted the claim.

He said: “This protest is a solidarity of our son who was forcibly suspended without due process.

“The fraud issue was discovered by the chairman and he reported it to the state government.  We are still wondering why he was suspended.”

The marchers accused Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of being behind the suspension for him to allegedly plant one of his loyalists as chairman.

Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Musa Ebio, however denied the allegation.