Oshiomhole fumes over IG’s second letter suspending rally – TheNigerialawyer

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade
Adams Oshiomhole has attacked the Nigeria Police for allegedly
providing cover for thugs to perpetrate violence that rocked Bénin
City on Friday.

Comrade Oshiomhole said the police watched as thugs gained
access to the Bénin Airport with the intention of preventing him
from arriving Bénin City to attend a rally of the All Progressives
Congress.

Oshiomhole who spoke to newsmen at his Bénin City resident did
not however attend the rally where former PDP members were received
into the party.

He was said to have been technically placed under house
arrest.

Speaking to newsmen after the rally, Oshiomhole stated that he
was not under any house arrest.

Comrade Oshiomhole said the Police planned to create mayhem so
that they could blame him and also refused to provide security for
him.

“The leadership quality of a man is tested under excessive
provocation. If it was my old self, I will not only go there but I
will make speech that by now the battle line is drawn. As National
Chairman, I had to pay the price by abstaining from going there so
that I deny the IG and Edo Police Command to go and kill people and
blame it on me.

“I am embarrassed that the IGP will write me a letter informing
me on the strength of my application which I informed him of our
intention to do a rally. We informed police not for license so that
they can earn their salary. It is not for them to grant permission.
I thought as National Chairman, I should be formal. I delivered the
letter myself so that it can be more personal.

“He convey to me that he has directed the police to provide full
security so that the exercise can have full security. The IG knows
the political value of Pastor Ize-Iyamho joining us. What I am not
able to understand is how the same IG could be alleged to send a
letter to Philip Shaibu that the rally will not hold. The party is
not run by the government, it is run by the party. The business of
people joining us is the responsibility of the state chapter who
invited me to join them to receive Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

“I am from here and I have worked with Pastor for which I am
proud. It is a shame on Edo Police Command that people in broad day
light thought they can intimidated me from arriving Bénin. The
police supervise and superintendent over this violence even as the
IG has given me a letter. As at that time no other letter has been
issued. For police to claim they are unable to secure the Airport
road, as reporter, I asked you to explain what Edo people went
through yesterday. Bénin was locked down just to oblige the Deputy
Governor or the government of Edo State.

“The police supervise and superintendent over this violence even
as the IG has given me a letter. As at that time no letter has been
issued. For police to claim they are unable to secure the Airport
road, as reporter, I asked you to explain what Edo people went
through yesterday. Bénin was locked down just to oblige the Deputy
Governor or the government of Edo State.”

Oshiomhole, however, said he was happy that the rally held
successfully and that the APC was poised to win future
elections.

He said it was worrisome that Governor Godwin Obaseki could
interpret some things as plot to stop his second term bid.

Comrade Oshiomhole accused Governor Obaseki of blocking every
avenue for peace to be achieved in Edo APC.

He said Obaseki is fighting over second term ticket without
fighting to win the heart of the electorates.

“Our confidence about winning the next election is better
assured than yesterday. Let me send a message to Philip. This is
not student unionism. Violence will not take him anywhere. It can
only compound his problem. Everybody is aware these thugs were
organised with the approval of Edo State Police Command. That guy
whose car was burnt. Do you think he will vote for the APC.

“My position is the way to iron out differences is to seat down
with various shades of opinion. Listen to the complains, the ones
that valid share with them how you will address them. This we have
been working on. The Governor has refused to attend an all
inclusive meeting. He prefers to handpick people. Obaseki told Eghe
Ogbemudia to abuse party leaders and the girl said no. She said she
could help to reconcile them. The governor said either the lady
abused the party leaders and eight hours later, the woman was
suspended. That is how they suspended four council chairmen.

“Four Governors agreed to join the all-inclusive meeting because
that is the way to go but the governor said he is not ready for
peace. He should not be worrying about ticket. He should be worried
about proper election. Our party doesn’t believe in rigging. We
have entrenched the culture of one man one vote. The name of the
game is persuasion. He must persuade because on that days everyone
is equal. The Chief executor of violence is Shaibu. He doesn’t
understand he is doing damage to his principal. The principal is
not able to see their own frustration.