Setback for Oshiomhole as IGP suspends Edo APC factional rally

The plot by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to control the party in Edo State, suffered a setback on Thursday as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP),
Mohammed Adamu, suspended a rally organised by Oshiomhole’s loyalists scheduled for Friday in Benin.
The rally was organised to receive some defectors led by Osagie Ize-Iyamu but without the knowledge of the leader of the party in the state, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Obaseki is in Egypt with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Obaseki’s deputy, Philip Shaibu, had written a letter to the IGP, complaining that Oshiomhole and organisers of the rally wanted to cause crisis in the state.
The IGP, in a letter addressed to Shaibu and signed by his Principal Staff Officer (PSO), ACP Idowu Omohunwa, directed the state Police Commissioner to ensure the rally does not hold.
The letter reads: “I am directed by the Inspector-General of Police to convey his warmest regards and to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter of December 12, 2019 on the above underlined subject.
“In cognisance of the security consequences of the proposed mega rally, I am to confirm that the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, to emplace appropriate security framework that is directed at suspending the rally with further notice.
“He has also been directed to summon a meeting of all parties involved in the political development with a view to engaging them towards giving effect to his directives in overriding internal security interest.
“I am to renew the assurances of the highest regards of the Inspector-General of Police to Your Excellency, please”.