Exposed! How police supervised Edo violence protest – Oshiomhole

National chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Friday accused the police of accomplice during Thursday’s violent protest by a faction of the party in Benin City, Edo State.

Oshiomhole said the protest which held mainly on airport road was targeted at his person because he was expected to arrive Benin airport ahead of the party’s rally which held Friday.

The rally was held to receive a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu, and his supporters into APC fold.

However, a faction of the party’s youths protested against the planned rally over alleged security concerns and division in the state chapter of the party.

Vehicles were burnt and the airport road locked down while the protest lasted.

Besides, governor Godwin Obaseki had denied knowledge of the rally, adding that checks at the state party secretariat also confirmed same.

Governor Obaseki and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, have been at daggers drawn over supremacy battle for the control of the party’s soul in the State.

Two factional leadership of the state APC have also emerged with each pledging loyalty to the two leaders.

However, Oshiomhole who received Ize-Iyamu at his Benin residence after the rally wondered why the police IG would issue a contrary letter to Edo deputy governor; having written him (Oshiomhole) that the police will provide adequate security for the rally.

According to Oshiomhole, “we only wrote to police to maintain law & order and not for license to hold rally.

“I am shame of Edo police command. I am from here and people thought they can intimidate me.

“They sent thugs to my house here at 8.pm and again the police were speaking from both sides of their mount.

“I reported to the IG, they arrested those who were involved, Edo State government intervened and they released the suspect to the deputy governor at night.

“They brought them (suspects) to Abuja, took their statement and they came back with private jets and started boasting that they are above the law,” Oshiomhole said.

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