The 14 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly yet to be inaugurated have accused the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki of recruiting “a killer squad to kill” National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and other party leaders.
This came on the heels of Obaseki’s threats to deal decisively with the national chairman. Speaking at a meeting of chairmen of the APC in the 18 local government areas in Edo on Tuesday, Obaseki said he was prepared to “show him [Oshiomhole]” that he is the governor of the state if the former governor keeps “disrupting activities” of the party in the state.
But addressing a press conference on Thursday, the 14 lawmakers-elect through their spokesperson, Hon. Victor Edoro, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of APC in the National Assembly and other APC stakeholders to call Obaseki “to order”.
“We the members-elect of the Edo state House of Assembly this day 30th day Of January, 2020, intends to use this medium to express our worries about the happenings in Edo State APC and the seeming aloofness of some of our leaders which has created another Emperor in Edo State, in the person of governor Godwin Obaseki,” they said.
“We want to draw the attention of our President, Muhammadu Buhari, the National leader of our Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Working Committee of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Party leaders and members across the country and indeed all Nigerians to the continuous insults and threat to the life of our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and other party members in Edo state.
“Two days ago, precisely 28th January, 2020, Governor Obaseki was on record which was widely circulated on social media and main stream media, threatening the National Chairman of our Party, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. Stating in his words ‘… We are warning the suspended National Chairman, if he continues with his activities in Edo state, I will show him that I am governor of Edo state… I have decided and declared that if Oshiomhole comes here to our state to say he wants to disrupt the activities of the state and the party, we will deal with him the way we know how best to do…’ . Those were the words of the governor.
“It is recalled that we have persistently drew the attention of the world to: The nocturnal inauguration masterminded by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki on 17th June, 2019 with 9 members-elect inaugurated at 9:30pm in an Assembly of 24 members elect.
“The attack on members elect at Golden Tulip hotel in Benin City on 18th June, 2019 by armed thugs led by the governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) while they were addressing members of the press to express their displeasure over the nocturnal inauguration of 17th June, 2019.
“Refusal of the governor to carry out the resolutions of the two chambers of the National Assembly and indeed all party leaders on reproclaiming and ensure fresh inauguration of the 7th Assembly by sponsoring court orders to achieve that.
“Series of attacks on members of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) across the state on different occasions just because they bear opposing view from that of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the government of the day in Edo. The homes of most leaders of the APC in Edo State have been marked for demolition by Governor Obaseki.
“Several petitions written to the Inspector general of police from 18th June, 2019 after the attack on us at Golden Tulip hotel in Benin City, but nobody has been held responsible for that attack yet.
“We want to believe that because the leaders of our Party across the country has been quiet to call governor Godwin Obaseki to order, he has been further emboldened to kill everybody due to his desperate ambition for a second term. He has recruited a killer squad in Edo State and their mandate is to kill Comrade Oshiomhole and other APC leaders.”
The members-elect accused Obaseki of creating crisis and disrupting public peace.
“Recent amongst so many are; Frustrated several reconciliation efforts by the National Working committee, the National Assembly, well meaning Edo sons and in fact, leaders of our great party.
“Instituting several court cases against the party and the National Chairman in several courts around the country. Thereby, bringing our great party to disrepute.
“Massive protest by thugs sponsored by the state government on 16th December, 2019 where cars were burnt and several persons injured just to stop a rally to receive decampees from other political parties to our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC)
“The questions are; Is the National Chairman of our Party no longer from Edo state? Are our leaders going to keep Obaseki quiet until Oshiomhole is killed?
“When did receiving decampees into our Party become disruption of activities of the state and party?
“Is Governor Godwin Obaseki bigger than the president of the country, Muhammadu Buhari, the National leader of the party, Senator. Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the National Chairman of our Party, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole and other members of the party across the country?
“Is governor Godwin Obaseki not a state governor like Governor Ganduje of Kano state who addressed Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole as his national chairman on 27th January, 2020 and so many other governors who submit themselves to the party supremacy?
“If the answer to the above questions is YES! Then we demand that; President Muhammadu Buhari, the National leader of the party, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the governors of the APC governed states to please call governor Godwin Obaseki to order as he is known to have set several precedents in our Party that may be detrimental to our great party in the nearest future.”
While calling on the IGP to protect the lives, property and rights of the residents of the state, they accused Obaseki of planning to leave the ruling party for PDP.
“The Inspector general of police should wake up to his responsibility of protecting lives, properties and maintaining public peace in Edo state by standing against infringement on rights of Edo people. We beg him to advise the Edo CP to be professional in his duty.
“We cannot allow Obaseki to destroy Edo APC because he does not know the sacrifices made by Oshiomhole to keep that party in Edo State. It clear that Obaseki is heading to another party flowing from the endorsement he has received from PDP leaders including the governor of Ebonyi State.
“But we are not worried because this same Governor lost his polling unit, ward, LGA and senatorial district to PDP during the Presidential election so he has no political clout. He went to play golf shortly after casting his vote not bothering whether President Buhari won election or not.
“But the National chairman of APC won his entire area for President Buhari. So we appeal to our leaders to call Obaseki to order, he has no monopoly of violence. And if any of our people are killed, we will hold Obaseki and the IGP accountable. Edo people will never forgive them. This is the time to act,” the lawmakers-elect added.
