By Vincent Ufuoma
THE Edo State Government has called on the APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomole to apologise for the attack on Gov. Godwin Obaseki, the Oba of Lagos, and other guests at his house last Saturday. It said the attack was premeditated and executed with the knowledge of the APC National Chairman.
Recall, it was reported that the governor of Edo State and his entourages were attacked by suspected hoodlums on a courtesy visit to the house of Mr. Oshiomole on the 2 Nov., 2019.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., the state government demanded that an unreserved and unconditional apology be tendered to all persons who were victims of the attacks.
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Mr. Ogie said the visit by the governor and his entourages was on a personal invitation of Mr. Oshiomole who was at the convocation ceremony of the Edo state university. He said the APC chairman who left the venue to prepare for the arrival of his guest should have been “aware of the build up of thugs within his compound in advance of the arrival of the governor” and his important guest.
He said; “On Saturday, November 2, 2019, His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, as Visitor of the University, attended the 1st Convocation Ceremony of the Edo University, Iyamho. The Governor was accompanied on his trip by the following persons: HRM, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos; Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola, the newly installed Chancellor of the University and his wife; Oba Otudeko, renowned businessman and philanthropist, among other dignitaries”
“Upon the conclusion of the ceremony at the university venue, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, personally invited the governor and his guests to his country home at Iyamho for lunch.
“Comrade Adams Oshiomhole went ahead of his invited guests to his residence and obviously was aware of the build up of thugs within his compound in advance of the arrival of the governor and the Very Important Persons (VIPs).”
According to him, “The Governor and his guests, which included the Oba of Lagos and the Deputy Governor of Edo State Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, then proceeded to the residence of the National Chairman to honour his invitation, only to be attacked upon arrival by the prepositioned thugs at the entrance to the residence of the National Chairman.
“The entourage suffered damage to vehicles on the convoy and had to return to the university premises from where they boarded the helicopter for the trip to Benin.”
Ogie maintained that it “is clear from the sequence of events that the attack on the governor, the Oba of Lagos and other VIPs was premeditated and could not have occurred without the active connivance or directive of the National Chairman.
“In the circumstances, the government of Edo State believes that the only option open to a host who has superintendent such misdemeanor is to tender an unreserved and unconditional apology to all persons who were victims of this sacrilegious, treasonable and extremely embarrassing event.”
He said it is not in the character of the Edo people to inflict such a barbaric and ill-treatment upon their guests. He also stressed that the government will punish those who were behind the attack.
“In the light of the seeming inability of the actual culprit to generate the required spirit to offer the necessary apologies, the government and people of Edo State apologise most sincerely to all our honoured guests, who were victims of this show of shame, the facts of which have earlier been recounted.
“We must state that it is certainly not in our character as Edo people to inflict such barbaric treatment on our guests. This is even more so in the light of the historic linkages between the Royal stool of Lagos and Edo people.”
“the government of Edo State assures all concerned and members of the general public that we shall deploy all the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime and their sponsors, no matter how highly placed they may be,” he said.