Edo Decides: APC Threatens To Boycott Peace Accord
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has threatened to boycott the Peace Accord scheduled for today, 12th September in Benin towards a peaceful governorship election in Edo State.
Briefing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital, the Acting State Chairman of the party, Emperor Tenebe Tenebe said the party will only sign the Peace Accord until the Police is seen to be taking steps by declaring some alleged suspected thugs of PDP wanted and ransom placed on them. “It is evidently clear that they are been harboured in Government House by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
According to Tenebe, “It has become imperative for our party, the All Progressives Congress to tell Nigerians why we are not predisposed to be a signatory to Peace Accord.
“Two months ago, the then Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, told Nigerians that the command had the names of those who murdered Inspector Onuh Akor at the Benin Airport. Inspector Akor was shot by members of Edo State Security Network when they unleashed mayhem on APC supporters who were at the airport to receive the deputy governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu who was in the company of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC Governorship Candidate, while returning from Abuja.
“It is saddening to note that for more than two months that this ugly incident took place, the police is still unable to arrest and prosecute those that have been identified to be involved in the callout and unprovoked attack, as Governo, who professed and proclaimed that he is the Chief Security Officer of the State, has warehoused these callous and notable hoodlums in Government House.
“This failure of the police has emboldened the State Governor and his Peoples Democratic Party to attack members of our political party at rally grounds and in their private businesses premises ceaselessly. The Governor has made inflammatory statements that has undermined his position as the Chief Security Officer of the State. Of particular concern, was when he said that NIGERIA WILL BURN IF POLICE ATTEMPT TO ARREST THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF INSPECTOR AKOR ONUH.
“In Ososo and Igarra both in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, some suspected thugs allegedly sponsored by the Local Government Council attacked our candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo along with other leaders while campaigning in the locality. Same were replicated in Ugbekpe Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area led by the Chairman of the Council.
“Just last Sunday, the Esan West Local Government Council Chairman, was allegedly to have led a gang of PDP thugs to attack APC supporters who were preparing for campaigns in Ekpoma. They also destroyed businesses that belongs to APC supporters.
“In the wake of this very worrisome and dangerous trend, the Governor kept mute and refused to condemn the attacks as the Chief Security Officer of the state. The Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress in Edo State, while in company of Obaseki, openly threatened the country that, ‘Nigeria will burn if INEC fails to declare the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo as winner of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.”
Going further, the APC acting Chairman added: “We believe the likes of Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress decided to take a cue from the governor that had earlier warned the Federal Government that NIGERIA WILL BURN if his agents that murdered Inspector Akor are arrested.
“Perhaps a more worrisome trend was exhibited by former APC during the PDP rally in Ubiaja, where he was shown during live telecast, boasting that Nigerians should dismiss the police story that he was wanted by them for the role he played in the murder of Inspector Akor.
“From the incident in Owan West Local Government Area where the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, and his cohorts were seen shooting sporadically at the APC rally and many persons were injured, the petition we did to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State.
“Our demand has not been attended which signpost the fact that there are lapses in the security in the State.
“The same ugly incident took place in Akoko-Edo and the names of the PDP Leaders who were involved in the ferocious attack on the APC Leaders were also given to the Police for investigation vide a petition.
“The summary of these episodes is the unwillingness of the govenror to embrace peace and the refusal of the security agencies to guarantee a peaceful environment for the conduct of September 21st, 2024 scheduled election.”
