A coalition of Civil society Organizations in Edo State on Monday asked governor Godwin Obaseki to either withdraw the compulsory Covid-19 vaccination imposed on residents of the State or prepare for a spontaneous Civil disobedience.

The coalition comprising different Civil society Organizations, youths, opinion leaders, students leaders, market leaders, Christian leaders, explained that they are not against in Covid-19 vaccination, but the use of coercion in enforcing ‘no evidence of Covid-19 vaccination proof, no access to government facilities and public places by the government’.

The protesters who marched across major streets, Edo State High court complex, State Secretariat Block and the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, to register their displeasure charged the Governor to pay provide welfare for the people and reawaken the will of governance in the State which he was elected to fulfill and stop playing the ostrich.

In a remark, Kelly Osunbor Omokaro, “We are rejecting forceful vaccination. Vaccination should be by choice. We will resist forceful vaccination. It will never work.

He urged the government to engage opinion leaders, traditional rulers, church and Muslims leaders and other Stakeholders for the advocacy to promote Covid-19 vaccination campaign instead of using force. China was once upon a time the epicentre of Coronavirus, they did not go about using force to get people vaccinate.

“As we were coming to NUJ, we saw them Reenforcing the prisons walls and I asked when do we see ex-governors in that prisons. But when the palliatives, Obaseki didn’t force us to take Covid-19 palliatives.

“Because of the money that is attached to the vaccination, our Governor is gingering. Why are you always interested in money?. When they told us that they want to bring our stolen, artefacts, he showed interest.

“We are not against Covid-19 vaccination, but what we are against is forceful vaccination. When they brought Covid-19 food they hid it from Edo people. Now why are they now forcing people to vaccinate”, he said.

Also speaking, Comrade Curtis Ogbebor accused the State government disobeying a Port Harcourt order which restrained the government, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his privies and agents from enforcing Covid-19 enforcement.

He urge the government to tackle insecurity and violent crimes especially on highways, adding that Edo State is not among the first three States in the federation that is widely ravaged as it is being portrayed by the government.

He said the coalition will shutdown any businesses and financial institution that either force their employees to take Covid-19 vaccine or sack their Staff on account of refusal to get vaccinated.

“All our contractors have left sites.
Obaseki reawaken the will of governance. Our health is our right. If there is no people, there shall be no governance.

“As we speak, the police stations that were burnt down during the EndSARS protest yet, the government has not been able to build them”.

The protesters shunned Edo State Government House in Benin City whose entrance was barricaded by security operatives.

Our Correspondent reports during the procession by the protesters who brandished placards such as ” Governor Obaseki obey court order”, forceful vaccination is a violation of human rights “, Covid-19 vaccine is a choice, not by force”, forced the traffic on Airport road, Sapele road, and government Reservation Area in Benin City to convulse for hours.

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