Oshiomhole Attacked In Benin

By Emmanuel Aziken

There was a tense standoff at the Benin Airport on Saturday when the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole arrived to a hostile reception by some thugs reportedly hired by his local political adversaries.

The state government stoutly denied involvement in the action of the youths saying it had no role in the incident at the Benin Airport or any of the series of anti-Oshiomhole protests in Abuja.

Oshiomhole was in Benin for the burial of the mother of his political associate, and former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonanyinma.

However, before his arrival thugs took up position around the airport environment. The thugs were matched by a strong detachment of security personnel drawn from the police, Department of State Services, DSS and National Civil Security Defence Corps.

The thugs who entered from the exit gate were rebuffed by the security men who shot into the air to disperse the determined youths.

Oshiomhole, however, arrived unscathed and was received by some of his associates led by his former deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu despite the heckles by the thugs.

Oshiomhole’s associates accused the state government of masterminding the attack.

However, Governor Godwin Obaseki in a firm rebuttal denied any role in a statement issued by his spokesman, Crusoe Osagie.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the Edo State Government had no connection with the crowd that was reported to have booed Comrade Oshiomhole.

According to him, “It has come to our notice that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole arrived Benin today and was booed by a crowd of people. We are not directly or remotely involved in the act. We condemn insinuations that the Edo State Government is in any way involved in such an act.

“The series of anti-Oshiomhole protests across the country in the last couple of days, including those who jeered and booed Comrade Oshiomhole in Benin City, on Saturday have nothing to do with the government in Edo State. Oshiomhole, just like any other law-abiding person is welcome into the state as long as he does not engage in any activity capable of disrupting peace and safety.

“We categorically state that we are not in whatever guise involved with those who engaged in the act against the former governor.”

He stressed that the state government will continue to maintain law and order, adding that the government is committed to protecting the rights of all law-abiding citizens in the state.

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