Edo: APC calls for council chairman, DG’s arrest over campaign violence

Allegations are tissues of lies – Alade

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the September 21 governorship election allegedly went violent in Ososo and Igarra in Akoko-Edo local government area as suspected thugs dressed like masquerades allegedly tried to disrupt the exercise in Ososo while an alleged youth leader of ward 1 in Igarra was accused of attempting to disrupt the exercise in Igarra. The incident resulted in injuries.

The APC in its reaction on Saturday called for the arrest of the chairman of the area, Tajudeen Alade and the deputy governor, Marvellous Omobayo who it alleged accused the local government chairman of not doing enough to stop the rally.

But Alade in his reaction described the allegation as false.

A statement by the Director of Publicity of the APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo said the alleged attacks were pointers to PDP’s attempt to disrupt them “from taking APC’s rescue message to all the nooks and crannies.

He said though they got wind of the attack, they were not deterred and determined not to deprive the people of their opportunity to hear Senator Monday Okpebholo’s “#TakeBackEdoState” message.

“The rally progressed peacefully before some political thugs who accompanied a pretentious masquerade entered with whips, harassing and pushing their way through the crowd. Undeterred, all the speakers, including the APC candidate, distinguished Senator Okpebholo, His Excellency, distinguished Senator Adams Oshiomhole, distinguished Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Director General of APC Campaign), Engineer Abubakar Momoh (Minister for Niger Delta), Honourable Peterson Akpatason and others delivered their messages successfully.

“Obviously angered by the APC’s determination to rescue Akoko Edo, Tajudeen Bright Alade again moved to Igarra, where over 5000 people had waited. The campaign team was received by a joyous crowd.

“Midway into the rally, a motorcycle rider that had the PDP cap on, made his way into the crowd and he was promptly resisted by locals who identified himself as a PDP youth leader working for the councillor of Ward 1. Despite this monstrous plan, the rally ended on a positive note without any incident.

“In the light of these unprovoked attacks, we will be left with no better option to preserve our party’s imminent victory, if, the Police and State Security Service (DSS) fails to arrest Tajudeen Bright Alade and Omobayo Godwins for fanning the attacks on our party in Ososo and Igarra.”

Tissues of lies – Alade
Reacting to the allegation, Alade said it was the masquerade that the APC brought into the rally ground that was requesting money from one of the leaders of the party and instead of the leader obliging, security men attached to him pushed the masquerade away and his followers reacted.

According to him, as the chairman of the council, I mobilized the conventional police to provide security for all on the day of the rally and I went about my busy official duties on that day. How can they be accusing me or the deputy governor of stoking violence?

“I was told that in the melee that ensued between them, one of their members, an APC member who is an okada rider named Elaro David sustained a gunshot injury. I have even visited him and supported him financially for his medical bills.

“It is laughable for them to make such an allegation against me. Do you know the number of security men; armed police, armed soldiers, DSS that are following them in their campaigns? How could thugs as they claim beat those heavily armed security men to disrupt their rally? They are all lies, nothing like me or the deputy governor sending thugs to attack them in their rallies.

“They had provoked me in the past when they came to stage a rally directly opposite my house by Technical Road Junction which was provocative, I did not send anybody to disrupt them until the police came. Is it when they hold their rallies many kilometres away from my place that I will disrupt them?

“There is no iota of truth in their allegations.”

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