Idahosa Moses | Benin City
RESIDENTS living in the suburb of Upper Siluko area in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State have vowed to resist any attempt by individuals or groups to remove their transformer, following failed political aspiration of the donor.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the transformer was donated to the people by the daughter of a prominent chief in the state.
It was learnt that the gesture followed a verbal promise by the elders in the area to support the donor’s political ambition if she assisted them to resolve their electricity crisis.
Nigerian Tribune further gathered that the donor acceded to their request, but the supposed beneficiaries, allegedly failed to fulfill their part of the bargain after the transformer was donated as a gift by the female politician.
In the midst of this hostility, some persons alleged to have acted at the behest of the donor invaded the area and demanded the removal of the transformer.
The alleged betrayal of trust from the beneficiaries, according to sources, led some suspected thugs who reportedly mobilised and attempted to remove the transformer, which was already energised to the national grid.
It was further learnt that an intelligence report got to the youth who proceeded to their town hall and mobilised themselves alongside women of the community to the area and prevented attempts by the invaders to remove the transformer.
A resident of the area who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, said a heated argument ensued between the suspected thugs that were allegedly sent to enforce the order and the locals, prompting the former to back down.
The resident, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the people are battle-ready to ward off attempts to remove their transformer, which he, claimed was bought with tax-payers money and donated by a kindhearted Nigerian.
“I am personally not happy that the donor lost the election. We are helpless during the election. Our transformer is already serving us here. We won’t allow anybody to remove it. The election has been won and lost,” the source said.
