By Adesina Soyooye
Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, is struggling to distance himself and his Government from an unprecedented attack carried out in Benin on Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Oserheimen Osunbor and Olumide Akpata and others. While Oyegun, Obi and Osunbor were former Governors, Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, was the Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in the last Governorship Election which was won by Okpebholo.
All of them, now of the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, were in Benin City to welcome Akpata into the Party from the LP.
But they got more than they could chew when blood thirsty thugs, carrying dangerous weapons attacked the ADC Secretariat where they were. But, the VIPs were lucky, or so they initially thought, when, based on an earlier intelligence tip-off, they moved to Oyegun’s home.
That move gave little comfort as the thugs, after inflicting mayhem at the party Secretariat, proceeded to Oyegun’s residence and attacked them.
The incident has since been classified by not a few people, especially the opposition, and more especially, the OBiDIENTS, as an assassination attempt targeted at Obi.
This impression was created because a couple of months ago, Governor Okpebholo had warned Obi not to step into Edo State without clearance from him otherwise, he, as the Chief Security Officer of the State will not guarantee his safety.
After the outrage that greeted the incident, Okpebholo, in statement on Tuesday on his behalf by his Media Aide, he said neither he nor his Government has anything to do with the sad incident; that Obi’s story is a misrepresentation of facts; that Obi and his party should look inwards where they are having issues with some equally high profile individuals in the party who feel they have been marginalised.
The statement reads in part: “The Edo State Government has noted with concern the allegation by former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party figure, Peter Obi, claiming that members of his political camp were attacked by Government officials in Edo State.
“We wish to state unequivocally that the Okpebholo administration is not, and will never be, in the business of attacking innocent Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation.
“No directive was at any time issued by the Governor or any organ of the Edo State Government to target members of any political party.
“These allegations lack credible evidence and appear calculated to mislead the public and create unnecessary political tension.”
The statement also referenced the Governor’s earlier stand on high-profile political visits to Edo State, where he emphasised that his comments were guided purely by his security responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and not borne out of political hostility toward any individual or group.
It pointed out that Okpebholo had always maintained that politically exposed persons are expected to notify relevant authorities ahead of major public engagements to enable adequate security coordination in the interest of public safety.
It noted: “We view any attempt to twist the Governor’s security advisory into claims of intimidation or orchestrated attacks as unfortunate, misleading and politically motivated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, just yesterday, Monday, February 23, a faction of the ADC led by former Chief Whip of the Senate, Roland Owie, was shut out of a meeting held at the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun due to an internal crisis within the party, which was only resolved following the intervention of armed police officers to restore peace.
“It is now evident that the ADC and, by extension, Peter Obi are being mischievous and making efforts to cast aspersions on the good work this administration is doing.
It only suggests to us that Peter Obi is synonymous with violence, and the state government will not condone such acts.
“The Edo State Government, therefore, urges political actors to verify facts before making public statements capable of overheating the polity.
The administration remains firmly committed to protecting all residents and visitors while upholding the constitutional rights of Nigerians to lawful movement and association.
“The Government reiterates that its focus remains on governance, public safety and economic development, and not political persecution.”
However, opinions remain that the Governor and his Government need to be more tolerant with opposition.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
