Ololade Adeyanju/
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, and the Chancellor of Edo University, Dr Aderemi Makanjuola, were among other guests attacked today by suspected thugs at the home of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, says in a statement that the trio escaped without injuries.
Osagie stated that the governor and the other guests had attended the maiden convocation ceremony of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, which is opposite Oshiomhole’s home, when the incident happened.
Speaking on the incident in a interview with journalists, Obaseki said it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the National Chairman of the ruling party in the state and at the national level.
He said: “It is very unfortunate that we can’t feel safe in the house of our National Chairman. I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party that they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman.
“It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent. But we will continue to sue for peace. We cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years. We will continue to pursue peace.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has denied allegations that he masterminded the attack.
An eyewitness said the crisis was triggered by Shaibu who had allegedly led over two hundred Okada riders to the venue of the convocation in the morning.
The Deputy Governor and the Okada men were said to have been dispersed by policemen who fired tear gas at them.
“But the Deputy Governor found his way inside, he was the one who led the Okada men from various parts of the state to the venue. So when the youths saw Momodu who was the Governor’s CSO in the convoy, they got angry,” the eyewitness claimed.
But Shaibu’s Chief press secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, said in a statement that his boss was on the entourage of the Governor when the unfortunate incident happened and could not have led the attack on the dignitaries.
The statement reads: “The Deputy Governor could not have caused the unfortunate incident that happened this evening. The Governor, his deputy, Oba of Lagos and their entourage were at the gate of the National Chairman of our great party, comrade Adams Oshiomhole to pay him the usual homage since they were in his domain.
“Surprisingly, the large crowd that gathered at the gate brutally attacked the convoy, destroying three cars in the process. The convoy had to quickly turn and came back to the varsity campus.
“So, how did the DG cause it, could he have arranged his own attack? In fact, they were there on the invitation of the Comrade himself.”
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