Accusation and counter accusation have continued to trail Saturday violence attack in front of Oba of Benin Oba.
While the APC is accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of a plot to subvert the September 19 Governorship election in the state through alleged violent attacks and arrest of its party leaders and members, the PDP however accused the APC of organizing a co-ordinated assault to eliminate the National leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected Governors of PDP that were expected to be with the Governor.
The Vice-Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, of the APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, stated this in a press conference on Sunday in Benin City.
He said that a plan has been hatched by the Edo State Government to detain a former Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over trumped-up charges on the eve of the election and also set fire on the farm of billionaire businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo, in continuation of the alleged assault on his reputation and businesses for refusing to back the second-term agenda of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The APC blamed Obaseki and the PDP for the violence that broke out on Saturday in Benin City, which led to the hospitalization of multiple persons for gunshot wounds, accusing the governor of setting conscripted thugs and cultists on protesters who expressed their rejection of him and his alleged “invitation of tax-collectors who are feasting on the state’s treasury.”
“Worse still, information have also reached us from sources in Obaseki’s government who are but disillusioned with his nefarious acts, that the governor has plotted and perfected a criminally appalling initiative aimed at subverting the will of the people.
“On the back of conscripting renowned cultists and providing them official cover and funding for wanton violence under the guise of aides appointments, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is planning to use COVID-19 as a ruse to neuter grassroots leaders of our party, the APC on the eve of the gubernatorial election by abducting and detaining them in isolation centers—this way, disenfranchising them and forestalling the political force they would deliver in pursuant of APC’s victory.
“Having pellucidly read the handwriting on the wall that he faces a monumental defeat and an electoral opprobrium on the 19th of September, Obaseki aims to illegally strike what he deems the head and important political leaders of our party with the hopes of subverting the election’’, Obahiagbon stated.
The party added that names of prominent leaders of the APC have been compiled to be dealt with, intimidated, harassed, terrorized, physically assaulted, and lacerated by state-sponsored goons.
Obahiagbon also alleged a plan by the Edo State Government to detain a former Governor of the State, Comrade Oshiomhole, over trumped-up charges on the eve of the election and also set fire on the farm of billionaire businessman, Captain Okunbo, in continuation of the alleged assault on his reputation and businesses for refusing to back the second-term agenda of Obaseki.
He condemned the “anomalies and acts of political desperadoism” as “direct affronts on the country’s constitution and the rule of law” while also appealing to the Police, INEC, and other relevant stakeholders to prevail on the Governor and ensure that he allows the rule of law and a level democratic playing field to hold supreme between now and the end of the Edo governorship
But debunking the allegations PDP National Vice chairman South-South, Chief Dan Osi Orbih said the visit of the party’s National Chairman, members of the National working committee, Governors of Rivers, Sokoto, Delta, and of course the host Governor Godwin Obaseki was officially communicated to the Palace and the various security agencies as.
He said there was no official APC event in the Palace or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with INEC guidelines.
Orbih further stated that there was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have event at the palace.
He said the invasion of the Palace Gate by armed APC Youths was a well co-ordinated assault by the leadership and Sponsors of Edo APC to eliminate the National leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected Governors of PDP that were expected to be with the Governor.
Orbih added that the action was aimed at throwing the country into crisis.
“The security breach must be investigated and all those connected with it must be arrested and tried in accordance with the laws.
“The APC organised attack at the Palace is in our view a political mutiny, against constituted authority, capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo state and the affected states of the Governors that were marked down for elimination.
“There have been several videos in the cyberspace where these thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem in the state.
“The security agencies must swing into action to bring all those connected with the incident to book.
“Choosing the Palace to unleash their evil plans is an abomination and a total disrespect to our Royal majesty and highly respected traditional institution.
“We condemn the attack and wanton destruction of PDP members vehicles and property by these hooligans in broad day light in the vicinity of the Palace of our revered Oba,” he said.
Orbih commended the leaders and members of EDO State PDP and supporters for their maturity and restraining themselves from retaliation in the face of unwarranted attacks and hostilities.
He assured them that the party will not fold its hands and watch members attacked and killed because of their support for Governor Godwin Obaseki.
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