The Edo State Government has denied any plan to cause mayhem should those responsible for the July 18 attack on Sennator Sunday Okpebholo and Philip Shaibu were arrested and prosecuted.
The Tide’s source recalls that Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of APC, and Shaibu, the just reinstated Deputy Governor of the State, were attacked on their arrival in Benin from Abuja by gunmen.
In the attack, a police officer was killed and many others injured.
The State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said in Benin that the Governor was only reacting to alleged plans by the opposition to rig the election come September 21.
Nehikhare said, in a statement, that the Governor planned to seek redress in court should the election be rigged.
The Commissioner said the Governor’s statement followed a call by the APC for the impeachment of Godwin Obaseki for allegedly calling for mayhem should the killers of a police officer in the Benin airport attack were arrested.
Nehikhare noted that the threat was only in respect to the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
He accused the APC of plotting to disrupt a peaceful election, citing the recent violence and mayhem caused by the party’s supporters.
“The APC has clearly shown their plan for the September 21 governorship election, which is to cause mayhem, make the state ungovernable, and take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election”, he said.
The Commissioner advised the opposition to “read the mood of the nation” and stop what would lead to crisis in the country”.