…As APC Accuses PDP of Plotting Violence
The attack on the Edo State Governor in company of a host of other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors and National Working Committee members at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan last Saturday has been described as an attempt to eliminate the entire leadership of the PDP and it’s elected Governors.
The National Vice Chairman, South-South of the party, Chief Dan Orbih made the accusation at a press briefing Sunday and accused the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, of allegedly master minding the attack adding that the party had no official business at the Palace of the revered Benin monarch and wondered why they would be there at the time the PDP National Campaign Council members were at the Palace to pay obeisance to the Oba.
“I want to place it on record that the visit was officially communicated to the Palace and the various security agencies as PDP leaders visit that included the party’s National Chairman, members of the National working committee, Governors of Rivers, Sokoto, Delta, and of course the host Governor Godwin Obaseki.
“I want to place it on record that there was no official APC event in the Palace or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with INEC guidelines.
“There was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have event at the Palace.
“The invasion of the Palace Gate by armed APC Youths was a well co-ordinated assault by the leadership and Sponsors of Edo APC to eliminate the National leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected Governors of PDP that were expected to be with the Governor.”
While noting that the attack was pre meditated to cause disaffection between Edo State and other states, Chief Orbih called on security agencies to fish out those behind the attack on the sacred grounds of the Palace of the revered Benin monarch, alleging that there have been several videos trending on the internet where thugs were being instructed to cause mayhem ahead the election in the state.
“The APC organised attack at the Palace is in our view a political mutiny, against constituted authority, capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo state and the affected states of the Governors that were marked down for elimination.
“There have been several videos in the cyberspace where these thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem in the state.
“The security agencies must swing into action to bring all those connected with the incident to book.
“Choosing the Palace to unleash their evil plans is an abomination and a total disrespect to our Royal majesty and highly respected traditional institution.
“We condemn the attack and wanton destruction of PDP members vehicles and property by these hooligans in broad day light in the vicinity of the Palace of our revered Oba.
“I commend the leaders and members of EDO State PDP and supporters for their maturity yesterday who restrained themselves from retaliation in the face of unwarranted attacks and hostilities”.
Mean while the Vice-Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon accused the Edo State government of allegedly hiring thugs to violently attack APC members in Benin City.
Obahiagbon made the accusation in Benin Sunday while addressing the press on the Oba Palace attack.
Obahiagbon also accused the state government of allegedly plotting to use thugs, cultists, and other criminal elements to harass, intimidate, and assault APC leaders and members on the eve of the Sept. 19 Governorship election.
“We have written to the IG of the Police, INEC, and other relevant stakeholders to prevail on the Governor to, at the very least, respect the sanctity of lives and the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of our people to make a political choice without intimidation, harassment, and criminal assaults”, Obahiagbon said.
