…Alleges attack was aimed at eliminating PDP leadership
South-south National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Edo State PDP Campaign Council for the 2020 gubernatorial election, Chief Dan Orbih, has described the attack on Governor Godwin Obaseki and leaders of the PDP in front of the palace of the revered Oba of Benin, on Saturday as a desecration of the palace grounds.
Chief Orbih, who addressed journalists in Benin City on Sunday, also said that, “The attack was a political mutiny, as All Progressives Congress (APC)’s sponsors attempted to eliminate the entire leadership of the PDP and all democratically elected governors of PDP that were expected to be with the governor.”
He explained: “The visit was officially communicated to the Palace and the various security agencies as PDP leaders’ visit that included the party’s National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Governors of Rivers, Sokoto and Delta States, and of course the host, Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
He noted that “there was no official APC event in the Palace or anywhere in Benin that was so communicated in accordance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
“There was no official communication to the security agencies and the palace that APC was also going to have event at the palace.”
“This action to my mind was aimed at throwing the country into crisis. The security breach must be investigated and all those connected with it must be arrested and tried in accordance with the laws.
“The APC organised attack at the Palace is in our view a political mutiny against constituted authority, capable of causing interstate conflict and war between Edo State and the affected states of the Governors that were marked down for elimination.”
Orbih maintained that “There have been several videos in the cyberspace where these thugs have been instructed, directed and motivated to intimidate and cause chaos and mayhem in the state.
“The security agencies must swing into action to bring all those connected with the incident to book.
“Choosing the Palace to unleash their evil plans is an abomination and a total disrespect to our Royal majesty and highly respected traditional institution.”
Denouncing the action, the campaign council chairman, added, “We condemn the attack and wanton destruction of PDP members’ vehicles and property by these hooligans in broad day light in the vicinity of the Palace of our revered Oba.”
He commended the leaders, members of Edo State PDP and their supporters for what he described as “their maturity and for restraining themselves from retaliation in the face of unwarranted attacks and hostilities.
“I want to assure them that the party will not fold its hands and watch members attacked and killed because of their support for Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
Recall that thugs said to have been sponsored by leaders of the APC in Edo State, on Saturday, attacked the convoy of Governor Obaseki, who was accompanied by some PDP governors and leaders as well as supporters, during their official visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
