From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the security services to thoroughly investigate how a police security detail of Senator Monday Okpebholo, Inspector Onu Ako, was killed and carry out an autopsy on the officer and make their findings public.
The state chairman of the party, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, who made the call while addressing journalists in Benin City, expressed shock over the wanton destruction of property and the death of the police officer as a result of the violence orchestrated by thugs of the APC under the guise of enforcing the Abuja Federal High Court’s judgement that reinstated the impeached deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shuaibu.
He said the PDP is worried about the desperation of the APC and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to cause confusion and chaos in Edo State since they are obviously not ready for the coming governorship election in the state.
“The incident that happened yesterday at the Benin Airport was unfortunate and unacceptable. It shows how desperate the APC handlers have become in their bid to foist their candidate on the Edo people. It is quite disheartening that an innocent Police officer lost his life due to the violence unleashed on innocent citizens by the APC led by its governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
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“It is saddening to hear that an innocent police officer lost his life. The PDP expresses deep sorrow over the death of this gallant officer. We commiserate with the family of the deceased and pray that our good Lord grants him eternal rest.
“It is common knowledge that when a court of first instance gives a judgment, once there is a notice of appeal and an appeal for a stay of execution, the parties are expected to maintain the status quo. We advise the impeached deputy governor of Edo State to allow the law to take its full course and stop instigating violence in Edo State. He should await the outcome of the judgements of the Appeal and ultimately the Supreme Court”, Aziegbemi said.
He, therefore, advised the APC to reign in their members as no responsible government will fold its hands and watch hoodlums harass, maim and kill its citizens, just as he advised the party to prepare for the elections instead of engaging in unnecessary distractions.
Aziegbemi disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, was given intelligence that many of the cars waiting for the APC governorship candidate were stocked with guns and dangerous weapons but he failed to stop the violence.
“You are invited to note that the Commissioner of Police was at the airport where he reportedly showed Philip Shaibu a copy of the Notice of Appeal and stay of Execution filled by respondents. We also gave the Police Intelligence that many of the cars waiting for the candidate of the APC and Philip Shaibu at the Airport were stocked with guns and dangerous weapons. POSER! Why was the commissioner’s order floated and he did not act to stop the violence thereafter,” he said.
He exonerated the PDP from violence, alleging that it was planned and executed by the APC which he said would lose the governorship election.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, while addressing journalists, also blamed the police for not providing adequate security at the airport and called on the Federal Government to set up a high-powered investigative panel to unravel what happened.
Besides, he called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the cause of the violence, promising that the Edo State Government would cooperate with the police to get to the root of the matter, even as he assured the Federal Government that Edo would continue to be peaceful.