Osagie Otabor, Bénin
MIXED reactions by the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains on Sunday trailed the attack on the national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at his Iyamho residence at the weekend.
Oshiomhole and his guests, including the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Chairman of Honeywell Group Oba Otudeko, Dr. Alex Onabanjo, Mr. Kekere Ekun and the Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, were attacked at a reception in his residence, shortly after the university convocation.
A party chieftain, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, chided Governor Godwin Obaseki for the attack, saying its signal had been noticed after the last presidential election, which APC lost in Edo.
Former Commissioner for Agriculture Abdul Oroh complained that the governor was always accompanied by thugs who perpetuated violence.
However, Senator Obende Domingo, who accompanied the governor to Oshiomhole’s residence said the national party chairman was responsible for the mayhem.
He added: “These are self-inflicted maladies. He was never psychologically and emotionally ready for political leadership. A man who cannot tolerate opposition or criticism is not fit to lead. He should humble himself and reconcile with critical stake holders in the society and the party in Edo State or try APGA. He should spare Edo people this scourge.
“Why did he bring his campaign people to an official event that he knew would be attended by the National Chairman of the party Adams Oshiomhole? Why did the Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu come to the event with bike riders and thugs? Why did Obaseki allow Andrew Momodu and Osaigbovo Iyoha who were questioned by the police a few days earlier over the attack on Oshiomhole’s residence in Benin to join them in the bus carrying him, the Oba of Lagos and other eminent citizens to Oshiomhole’s country home? That was poor judgement on the part of the Governor. It shows he wanted to humiliate Oshiomhole. It was extremely provocative. The Oba must have been thoroughly embarrassed. Thank God no lives were lost.”
He said: “I am shocked and dazed at what I saw. If this is the hospitality a national chairman can offer his visitors and important dignitaries in our country, then, our journey can be by far imagined than concluded.”
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Oshiomhole Charles Idahosa said the incident confirmed the character of Oshiomhole.
According to him, “the whole world is now seeing who Oshiomhole really is. I was his political adviser for eight years. I have been attacking and telling him realistically how things should be done.
“How would you attack a sitting governor? You invited them for lunch at your house, meanwhile, thugs were waiting for them. Last week, he came to Benin and lied to the whole world that he was attacked in his compound. No single shred of evidence was put out; it was just in his imagination. This was to portray a sitting governor as a bad person.
Edo State APC chairman Anselm Ojezua, who said he received the report with shock, described it as unfortunate development, the national chairman in a difficult position.
He said: “Since the incident took place inside his premises and the governor and other dignitaries were there on his invitation, that puts him under very difficult circumstances.”
Ojezua called for the prosecution of those involved in the attack, adding, “I expect that having regards to the people involved, there will be criminal prosecution because I am aware that those involved are identifiable. So, I expect immediate investigation and prosecution.”
“It is a very unfortunate situation and shows that the political situation in our party is fast deteriorating and I will call on the national chairman and the governor to review the situation and do the needful because they will have to take responsibility for whatever happens subsequently.”
Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, condemned the incident, saying that it was shameful.
He added: “The incident is saddening. It is regrettable that such eminent persons can be attacked at the home of the national chairman of the APC. We seriously need to find a lasting solution now.”
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Former Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, condemned the attack and accused of Oshiomhole of being the mastermind.
He said Obaseki’s growing popularity was giving Oshiomhole’s sleepless nights.
The former Speaker called on the APC National Executive Council (NEC) of the to convey an emergency meeting.
“You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that Oshiomhole is behind the attack on the number one citizen of the state and the revered Oba of Lagos who were at his residence”, he said.*
“Some weeks ago in the state capital, Oshiomhole publicly spoke about his infantry division, this infantry division were mobilized by him to lay siege on Mr. Governor at his residence”* he added.
“It is not only shameful but shocking that a National Chairman of a party has made himself a factional political leader in his state by fanning embers of disunity in the party he sworn to strengthen”.
Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, said the rise in political violence in Edo was encouraged by Governo Obaseki by not condemning previous attacks in the state.
He said the convocation ceremony was supposed to be a solemn event but was converted to a political rally by Obaseki and Shaibu.
Osagie said the thugs action was an attempt to protect Oshiomhole who was attacked in Bénin last week.
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