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Edo State Government has berated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over alleged plot to disrupt peace and safety in the state, noting that the schemes have taken a dangerous dimension
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said the embattled National Chairman and some of his supporters in the proscribed Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) are hellbent on causing a breakdown of law and order in the state, restating that the state government would spare nothing under the laws in dealing decisively with any merchant of violence.
The statement reads: “The complaint of an alleged attack by one of the leaders of the proscribed EPM, Henry Idahagbon, is the latest step in the plot by the suspended National Chairman of the APC to disrupt peace and safety in Edo State.”
“Thursday’s incident is another proof that members of the amorphous group are at war with themselves and the people of Edo State. The blame rightly should be dropped at the feet of the embattled National Chairman, who continues to violate orders and promote violence in the state.
“Oshiomhole has disobeyed orders by the Nigeria Police Force at the federal and state levels not to hold public gatherings against the directives of the state government.
“His actions have led to the hospitalisation of tens of Edo people and the destruction of property valued in millions of naira. From Edo South to Edo North”, he said, while alleging that the APC helmsman traded in violence and left many in anguish “in the wake of his strong-headed approach to entrenching himself as a godfather in the state”.
“Even with this, he has not relented, but rather continues to fan the embers of division, acting as if he is above the law in the state. This incident is the latest in schemes, as his lieutenants continue to perpetuate violence with his overt and covert support, which will not be tolerated by the Edo State Government,” Osagie stressed.
While calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Presidency to call Oshiomhole to order, Osagie assured Edo people that government would continue to resist attempts to fracture the peace and safety in the state.
“His ambition to become a godfather in Edo State is not worth the safety of the four million people in our state,” he reiterated.
In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters (Edo South), Osaigbovo Iyoha, berated the National Chairman of the APC over his role in the political crisis in the state and other states’ chapter of the party across the country.
Iyoha, in a briefing with journalists, said it was shameful for Oshiomhole to have organised a political rally in Edo North with full knowledge of the ban on political rallies by the state government and the Nigeria Police Force.
He said one of Oshiomhole’s biggest challenge is the saturation of Edo political space by educated people, which has made it difficult for the former governor to railroad them to achieve his self-centred aims.
He noted: “The APC is now as organised as it can be. In the past, the party was only organised during elections. The issues are very clear. Comrade Oshiomhole cannot push us around. We will not accept it. The problem Oshiomhole has is that there are a lot of educated people in politics, people who cannot be easily deceived.
“He has turned himself into a lawless figure and is disturbing the state. We are telling him to desist from such.”
On the disobedience of Police orders by Oshiomhole, Iyoha said: “We have taken up the issue with the Nigeria Police Force because there is a ban on political rallies in the state. There was destruction of property and people were injured before and during the rally.
“The state government has made proclamations banning political rallies in the state. So, we do not know why the police allowed the rally to continue.”
Iyoha stressed that the APC in Edo State is ready for reconciliation only if the reconciliation committee is constituted by the presidency.
“We are waiting for the presidency to set up a reconciliation committee because we are open to reconciliation and don’t have problems with anybody.
“Adams Oshiomhole is the author of the crisis in Edo. He cannot set up a committee to address the crisis he caused in the state. He is the person factionising the party in the state. He cannot bring people who are indebted to him to settle crisis he created,” he added.
The governor’s aide debunked rumours making the rounds that the Obaseki was going about begging party leaders.
He said: “The governor remains in full control of the organs of the APC in Edo State. The party leaders are under the control of the governor. I am telling you that the leaders of the APC in the state are with the governor, save for a few self-centred individuals who used to profit from the old order.”
On the rally held in Edo North, he said: “There were no Edo North APC chieftains at the rally because they have told Oshiomhole that they are supporting their son, the deputy governor, Mr. Phillip Shuaibu, on his re-election.
“The setting up of the mobilisation committee by the Edo State chapter of the APC, was necessary to accept new members from other parties who were interested in joining the party going by the developmental strides of the governor,” he said.
Responding on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo 2020 gubernatorial election, Iyoha said the party had been crumbled in the state and stands no winning chance as their major governorship aspirant has decamped to Edo Peoples Movement (EPM).
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