Edo Palace Invasion: PDP, APC Biker As Several Persons Sustain Injuries

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the All Progressive Congress, APC, its Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Immidiate past Chairman of the party, Comarde Adams Oshiomhole of making attempts to eliminate the leadership of PDP and Governors who were in Edo state for the Campaign Flagoff.

The shooting incident which took place yesterday in the course of the official visit of the Governors and members of the PDP National Campaign Council to the Palace of the Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan left several Persons' injured with bullets wounds.

According to the National Vice chairman SOUTH-SOUTH and Chairman Edo 2020 Campaign Council, Chief Dan Osi Orbih who briefed Journalists while Condemning the incident in Benin City, said, the alleged invasion of the Palace Gate by armed APC Youths was a well-coordinated assault sponsored by Edo APC

He said, "I want to place it on record that the visit was officially communicated to the Palace and the various security agencies as PDP leaders visit that included the party's National Chairman, members of the National working committee, Governors of Rivers, Sokoto, Delta, and of course the host Governor Godwin Obaseki. I want to place it on record that there was no official APC event in the Palace or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with INEC guidelines.

"The invasion of the Palace Gate by armed APC Youths was a well-coordinated assault by the leadership and Sponsors of Edo APC to eliminate the National leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected Governors of PDP that were expected to be with the Governor".

"There was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have an event at the palace".

"This action to my mind was aimed at throwing the country into crisis. The security breach must be investigated and all those connected with it must be arrested and tried in accordance with the laws.

The APC organised attack at the Palace is in our view a political mutiny, against constituted authority, capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo state and the affected states of the Governors that were marked down for elimination.

There have been several videos in the cyberspace where these thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem in the state.

"The security agencies must swing into action to bring all those connected with the incident to book".

Earlier, in view of the foregoing allegations, Rt. Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon Vice-Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, APC National Campaign Council who spoke on behalf of the party, accused Godwin Obaseki of planning to use COVID-19 as a ruse to neuter grassroots leaders of the APC on the eve of the gubernatorial election by abducting and detaining them in isolation centers.

Obahiagbon said they were shocked that after the palace incident, APC’s supporters were physically assaulted

According to him, "Only yesterday, Saturday the 25th of July, the Governor’s army of thugs and cultists descended on protesters at the entrance of the Palace of our great King, the Oba of Benin, and other parts of the Benin metropolis, sending many to the hospital with gunshot wounds because they dared to express their rejection we were made to understand of the out-going governor who instead of fixing the humongous problems bedeviling the state such as the payment of owed salaries and fixing the states challenging ecological issues inter alia, rather chose to invite "tax-collectors" to the State to further feast on their members.

"Our plea this morning to INEC, the Police, and other relevant stakeholders is to request Mr Governor to allow the rule of law and a level democratic playing field to hold supreme between now and the end of the Edo governorship elections. "This is not too much to request of a sitting governor".

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