Edo APC Crisis: Fears Of Violence As Faction Mobilises For Confrontation

There was apprehension in Benin at the weekend that the faceoff between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his immediate predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole could turn violent following reports of plots by one of the contending factions to take the law into their hands.

One of the rival groups with support from outside the state a source said, met in Benin and resolved as a strategy to divide Obaseki and one of his main supporters, Charles Idahosa. Idahosa who served as political adviser to Governor Oshiomhole has lately turned into a main ally for Obaseki in his faceoff between the governor and his predecessor.

A close source in the group, who pleaded anonymity, said the plan is to disrupt peace through different groups and also lay siege to the Edo State Assembly complex.

“The support from Charles Idahosa for Governor Obaseki is causing them sleepless nights. They believe that Idahosa knows a lot of the inner workings of the political architecture in Edo State and would place Obaseki in good stead to win any political battle in the state if the relationship between the two is allowed to blossom.

“So, they resolved to lead smear campaigns and blackmail to tarnish the image of Idahosa, which they expect will cause disaffection between the governor and Idahosa. If the two are estranged, they believe they stand a better chance to sustain their attacks on the governor,” the surce said.

The source said that the meeting was a betrayal of the Bini by those against Obaseki and his acolytes who are working against Edo South and the kingdom, adding, “They plan to cause public unrest. But we will resist them. We will never return to the era of violence in this state. They want to unleash violence, starting from July 1.”

According to him, “After the meeting, N5,000 was shared to each of the persons in attendance. They were camped two in a room. Our great political father, Hon. Charles Idahosa, should not be distracted by this plot to blackmail him.”

Recall that Hon. Idahosa recently granted an interview where he called for the resignation of Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the APC, noting that the former governor of Edo State has not only failed in his responsibilities but was also responsible for the crisis in the State House of Assembly due to his silence on the disagreement among members of the House.

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