19th July, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
The Director of publicity of Edo APC governorship campaign council, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, has alleged that gunmen who caused mayhem along Airport Road on Thursday actually planned to assassinate the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Omo-Ojo stated this on a statement on Friday, in reaction to the violent crisis that took the life of the police orderly of Senator Okpebholo, Inspector Akor Onu.
He noted that the peaceful procession from Airport to the APC Secretariat would have been conducted peacefully without any problem if the gunmen have not decided to ambush the candidate and his supporters at the Benin airport exit.
He said: “Let it be known that our candidate did not commit any crime by passing through the airport gate after arriving from Abuja. Likewise, members of the APC who received him on his arrival.
“Those that committed the murder of Inspector Ako and attempted to assassinate Senator Okpebholo are the hired criminals who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party.
“This unprovoked horrific act of political violence against a peaceful Nigerian Senator should have no place in Edo State. It should be unanimously and forcefully condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the good people of Edo State.”
The campaign council publicity director added:
“The attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate represents a glaring failure by the Police, which left a serving senator exposed to gunfire in a breach of security that caused fatality.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Security Service to probe this assasination attempt and bring the culprits to book and also rein in state sponsored criminals who have brazenly made the political landscape unsafe.
“Anything short of this, is capable of encouraging self help in the state, especially as we enter the crucial campaign season.
“The vantage point the assasins who were in a marked Sienna Bus opposite the exit gate managed to acquire, is the greatest security breach and failure, especially as the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, and other top officers were at the airport to ensure peace.
“Let it be known that no amount of violent desperation will prevent the APC from providing leadership for the determined concerted patriotic forces working to take back Edo State and reset it to path of peace and prosperity.”
