The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accuses the All Progressives Congress (APC) of masterminding the violence by thugs which resulted in the unfortunate death of a gallant Police officer in Benin City, Edo State capital on Thursday July 18, 2024.
The Party calls on the Police to investigate reports that the violence resulted from the reckless demonstration of force by thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC Governorship Candidate, Monday Okpebholo and allying prominent politicians, to accompany them from the Benin Airport into the city with the view to intimidate and instill fear in the citizens.
The PDP asserts that the rush by the APC to point accusing fingers on some agencies of the Edo State Government even before any investigation, exposes APC’s desperation to cover its complicity in the violence.
The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the preponderance of pictorial and video evidence show that the groups and thugs at the vicinity of the attack were mobilized by the APC and the said prominent politicians, as evident in the boasting of the thugs before the unleashing of mayhem on innocent citizens.
These pictorial and video evidence attest to the fact that no security agency of the Edo State Government or group connected to the Edo State Government was at the vicinity of the attack and that the Government did not mobilize any group to the airport, its neighborhood or any part of the city at that material time.
It is instructive to state that the only entities that would want to cause crisis and instill fear in the people ahead of the Edo State governorship election are the APC and its allying politicians who are frustrated that the APC has no prospect in the election given that it is stuck with an unqualified candidate.
Our Party therefore demands that the Inspector General of Police immediately invite and question those whose agents and supporters were seen with thugs at the Benin Airport prior to the attack as evident in the said videos and pictures.
The PDP also urges the Police to take every step necessary to ensure the sustenance of peace and order in Edo State, particularly in the face of the confirmed schemes and inclination by the APC to cause mayhem in the State.
Our Party again commends the people of Edo State for their vigilance and courage in resisting anti-people forces that are desperate to disrupt the peace in the State.
The PDP charges our teeming supporters and the people of Edo State not to be deterred in their rallying with the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo who personifies their collective vision and aspiration for continued development of Edo State on the platform of the PDP.
The PDP deeply commiserates with the Police and the family of the slain police officer adding that his death must not be in vain.
*Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
Meanwhile, the Akoko-Edo Youth Congress has warned erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and the Etsako people in general to stop heating up the polity in Edo State.
The group in its first reaction to attempts by Shaibu to forcefully actualise the judgement of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which reinstated him, warned Shaibu and the people of Etsako to desist from actions that would continue to marginalise Akoko-Edo in the scheme of things in the state.
In a statement on Saturday by its Acting National President, Mr Precious Akande, the AYC said the recent impeachment of Philip Shaibu and the appointment of Omobayo Godwins by Governor Godwin Obaseki not only brought joy to the people of Akoko-Edo, it represented a historical shift as the first time Akoko-Edo has accessed political power in Edo State.
AYC argued that the emergence of Omobayo Godwins came to them as “addressing long-standing marginalization.”
It added that the noticeable Etsako negative reactions to the development “reflects their perceived loss of dominance.”
“The appointment of Omobayo Godwins represents a significant shift towards equitable representation and justice.
“In light of Shaibu’s attempts to challenge his impeachment and his ambiguous political stance, we urge him and all Etsako leaders to respect Akoko-Edo’s opportunity. True equity requires acknowledging the diverse aspirations within Afeimai and not monopolizing power.”
AYC then called on all citizens of Akoko-Edo to stand united at this present time behind Omobayo Godwins.
“We call on all Akoko-Edo citizens to stand united and protect this achievement. The era of exploitative relationships under the banner of Afeimai must end. Akoko-Edo must never again be marginalized or exploited.
“Let this message serve as a reminder that equity, justice, and true representation are essential for a fair and prosperous Edo State. Let this message serve also as a warning to all Etsako people that we the Akoko-Edo people have severed ourselves from your historical deceit and exploitation and we say “Enough is Enough”. We shall declare a Protest within the next two weeks if Philip Shaibu and the Etsako people continue to undermine our existence.”
