The attribution of Tuesday’s violent attack on chieftains of African Democratic Congress in Edo to the State governor Monday Okpebholo has drawn his denial.
Okpebholo, according to ADC orchestrated the attack on the party’s chiefs and other members including Peter Obi by political thugs which left many vehicles belonging to the victims damaged.
The opposition party in a statement its spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi issued traced the reprehensible act to the statement the governor made in the past in which he declared Obi persona non grata in Edo State.
It alluded assassination attempt on Obi to Okpebholo.
The charge has however excited reaction from Edo State Government via a statement the Chief Press Secretary Patrick Ebojele to the governor issued.
“The statement recalled the Governor’s earlier position regarding high-profile political visits to Edo State, where he made it clear that his comments were purely guided by security responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and not borne out of political hostility toward any individual or group.
“Governor Okpebholo had consistently maintained that politically exposed persons are expected to notify relevant authorities ahead of major public engagements to enable adequate security coordination in the interest of public safety.
“We view any attempt to twist the Governor’s security advisory into claims of intimidation or orchestrated attacks as unfortunate, misleading and politically motivated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, just yesterday, Monday,23 February,a faction of the ADC led by former Chief Whip of the Senate,Roland Owie, were shut out of a meeting held at the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun’s due to internal crisis within the party and was only resolved following a detachment of armed police officers to restore peace.
“It is now evident that the ADC and by extension Peter Obi is mischievous and making efforts to cast aspersion on the good things that this administration is doing. It only suggests to us that Peter Obi is synonymous with violence and the state government will not condole such acts.
“The Edo State Government therefore urges political actors to verify facts before making public statements capable of overheating the polity. The administration remains firmly committed to protecting all residents and visitors while upholding the constitutional rights of Nigerians to lawful movement and association.
“The government reiterates that its focus remains on governance, public safety and economic development, and not political persecution,” the statement read in part.
