Timothy Omobude 
The media consultant to the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo 2024 governorship campaign council, Princ Kassim Afegbua, has alleged that gunmen who caused mayhem along Airport Road on Thursday actually planned to assassinate the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Afegbua stated this while briefing newsmen at the state party secretariat on Friday, in reaction to the violent crisis that took the life of the police orderly of Senator Okpebholo, Inspector Akor Onu.
He noted that the peaceful procession from Airport to the APC Secretariat would have been conducted peacefully without any problem if the ambush on the party candidate and his supporters at the Benin airport exit wasn’t there.
Edo 2024: See how ‘choice’ of Ogie as PDP, DG candidate excites Edo youths
2024: Edo Govt, APC Trade Words Over Alleged Corruption
He said the candidate did not commit any crime by passing through the airport gate after arriving from Abuja with the reinstated deputy governor, Comr Philip Shaibu, likewise, members of the APC who received him on his arrival.
“Those that committed the murder of Inspector Ako and attempted to assassinate Senator Okpebholo are the hired criminals who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party sponsored by Edo State government.
“This unprovoked horrific act of political violence against a peaceful Nigerian Senator should have no place in Edo State. It should be unanimously and forcefully condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the good people of Edo State.
According to him; the attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate represents a glaring failure by the Police, which left a serving senator exposed to gunfire in a breach of security that caused fatality.
“As a party we have written a petition to the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Security Service to probe this assassination attempt and bring the culprits to book and also rein in state sponsored criminals who have brazenly made the political landscape unsafe.
“Anything short of this, is capable of encouraging self help in the state, especially as we enter the crucial campaign season. Remember no man has a monopoly of violence.
How 28-yr-old US school shooter plotted attack – Police
“The vantage point the assassins who were in a marked Sienna Bus opposite the exit gate managed to acquire, is the greatest security breach and failure, especially as the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, and other top officers were at the airport to ensure peace. Even when we had earlier complained of the suspected vehicle, the commissioner of police had to escape through the entry gate.
“The CP in Edo State should be sacked for incompetence.
“Let it be known that no amount of violent desperation will prevent the APC from providing leadership for the determined concerted patriotic forces working to take back Edo State and reset it to the path of peace and prosperity.”
Afegbua stressed the urgent need for possible intervention by concerned authorities before is too late.
Edo State Government
Meanwhile, the state government through the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare and the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie called on the police to arrest Shaibu and investigate him as they accused him of being the mastermind of the incident. While commiserating with the family of the deceased officer.
Edo To Host National Division 1 HandBall League
Commissioner of Police
Also, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Folusho Adegboye, yesterday said the command was in possession of the names of some of those who carried out the act of violence at the exit gate of the Benin Airport. Adegboye said after thorough investigations of the names of those currently with the command, those who are found guilty would not be spared but be made to face the full wrath of the law.
