Edo State government and the All Progress Congress are trading blames over who was responsible for an attack on Saturday at the Palace in Benin City where the People’s Democratic Party planned to launch its governorship election campaign.
The Edo State Government condemned the attack on its guests, notably governors and other Very Important Persons (VIPs), on Saturday, at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, prequel to the flag-off of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s campaign for re-election.
But APC in a statement on Sunday by Yekini Nabena, its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, condemned the violence, which it said was sponsored by the PDP.
In a statement by Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to Governor Godwill Obaseki, the government said the thugs were sponsored by the APC, its candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the sacked National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who he said had in the past few days engaged thugs to cause mayhem in the state.”We are appalled by the deployment of thugs to the sacred grounds of the Oba Palace by the APC, Ize-Iyamu and Oshiomhole with the sponsorship of a Benin billionaire to harass guests who are in the state for the flag-off of Governor Obaseki’s campaign and had visited the palace to pay obeisance to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin,” Osagie said.
“While we respect the boundaries of politics as it relates to the Palace, it is reprehensible that the APC, its candidate and their enablers would sponsor thugs to desecrate the palace, which is a clear case of desperation to score cheap points,” Osagie said.
“This conduct is not a trait of Edo people and is condemned in the strongest possible terms, as we are courteous and welcoming to guests. It is obvious that these persons were mobilised for this task by those who have no regard for the palace nor want the progress and development of the state,” Osagie concluded
But the APC responded, saying: “The disturbing images and reports of the destruction of property and violence meted on hapless victims during Saturday’s campaign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Edo State governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki in Benin City, the state capital is a glimpse into the “do or die” plot the PDP plans to unleash in the lead up to the September 19 Governorship Election.”
APC said that the PDP in Edo State is not campaigning for votes but relying on brute force, violence and intimidation ahead of the governorship election. It pointed out that the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wike promised on Saturday to “make sure that everything needed is done” to foist the PDP governorship candidate on the good people of Edo State.
“To imagine that the PDP chose to desecrate the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II is despicable, unheard of and a new low even by PDP’s ignoble standards,” declared. “ Why is a show of force needed on citizens you wish to govern?” it asked
APC accused Wike of being bent on importing to Edo State his Rivers State model of violence and intimidation, but vowed that he will not succeed. “We definitely will not watch helplessly and allow the PDP and Wike turn Edo state into a killing field in their attempt to foist an unpopular candidate,” the party said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the violence and calls on our security services to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors, it said.
“During the entire Edo State governorship electioneering process, we stand with the good people of state in rejecting all forms of political violence as was unleashed on Saturday by the so-called “Obaseki Boys” and PDP supporters on hapless victims,” APC noted.
APC reiterated its stand that the people’s will and votes will determine the Edo State governorship election, not voter intimidation and election violence.
