Thugs attack Obaseki, Oba of Lagos in Oshiomhole's house ~ Truth Reporters

...As Obaseki condemns attack

...Oshiomhole apologises, blames Deputy Governor


The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress, Edo State, took a new dimension on Saturday with a reprisal attack on the convoy of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu at Iyamoh, the country home of the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole.

Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Governor Obaseki and Pro-Chancellor of Edo University, Iyahmo, Prof. T.O.K Audu, were in a convoy on their way to Oshiomole’s house when the youths allegedly sighted the man alleged to have led the attack on Oshiomole’s home in Benin, Andrew Momodu.

The governor and the other guests had attended the maiden convocation of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

An eyewitness to the fracas said that the Oba of Lagos and the governor had gone to Comrade Oshiomhole’s house to honour the former governor’s invitation for lunch after the ceremony at the university.

He said, “The governor, the Oba of Lagos and other guests had gone to Oshiomhole’s house for lunch when they were attacked by thugs led by one Romeo, said to be one of Oshiomhole’s cousins.”
It took the intervention of the governor’s security aides to prevent a blood bath as several vehicles were smashed by the thugs.

Another eyewitness, however, said the crisis was triggered by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who had allegedly led over two hundred Okada riders to the venue of the convocation in the morning.

The Deputy Governor and the Okada men were said to have been dispersed by policemen who fired tear gas at them.

“But the Deputy Governor found his way inside, he was the one who led the Okada men from various parts of the state to the venue. So when the youths saw Momodu who was the Governor’s CSO in the convoy, they got angry,” he said.


Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has condemned the attack on him, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr. Aderemi Makanjuola and other guests at the residence of former Governor of the State and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Speaking to journalists after the incident, the governor took exception to the resort to violence, noting that it was shameful for such an attack to take place at the residence of the National Chairman of the ruling party in the state and at the national level.

Describing the attack as an unfortunate incident, he said, “It is very unfortunate that we can’t feel safe in the house of our National Chairman. I am not sure that if I visit the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party that they will attack me the way they did in the house of the APC National Chairman.”

“It is unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent. But we will continue to sue for peace. We cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years. We will continue to pursue peace,” he added.


Blame Edo Deputy Governor over Iyamho attack-Oshiomhole

In a swift reaction, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has apologised to Governor Godwin Obaseki and Oba of Lagos over Saturday's attacks.

This was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem.

According to him, "the incident that occurred at the gate of the National chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in his Iyamho country home was unfortunate and the National chairman expresses his apologies to the governor, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr. Screen I Makanjuola whom he held in high esteem.

"But I want to state that the people who unleashed mayhem on vehicles were the thugs who invaded the university community on the orders of the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

"The tension in the community started last Friday when the deputy governor imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidate political opponents. Infact the Central Bank governor who delivered a lecture at the convocation ceremony that Friday insisted that the thugs who were disturbing the public must stop the noise making before he could commence his lecture. Security agents helped to ensure peace before the event started. As a matter of fact, Comrade Oshiomhole left the event through the back so as to avoid being attacked by the thugs who laid siege at the entrance gate of the university.

"Then today (Saturday) which was the main event, the governor, the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Oshiomhole and other guests were already in the hall when at about 11:30am, the deputy governor stormed the University with over 200 Okada riders and thugs. Security operatives accosted them at the gate and refused them entrance. The thugs started threatening the security operatives who insisted the deputy governor can enter the venue but they will not Allow the thugs to gain access.

"Following their threats the security operatives tear gassed the thugs and the deputy governor. The thugs were dispersed while the deputy governor joined other dignitaries at the venue. This created tension already in the small community.

"However, after the event, Comrade Oshiomhole invited the Oba of Lagos, the Chancellor and others for lunch at his country home which is right opposit the university. Consequently, he left instruction at the gate that he was expecting these respected leaders. So when the visitors came, the governor drove in a bus with other officials but following the incident that occurred earlier where thugs sponsored by tbe deputy governor invaded the university, Iyamho youths barricaded the gate of the national chairman with a view to protecting him against any harm.

"Unfortunately, these youths sighted Andrew Momodu, Osaigbovo Iyoha in the bus which conveyed the governor to Oshiomhole's residence. They decided to stop them from entering the compound because these were the same people who led the thugs that attacked Oshiomhole's residence in Benin City penultimate week.

"While this confusion was on, the thugs brought by the deputy governor started destroying the vehicles belonging to Oshiomhole's kinsmen. I want to state clearly that the vehicles destroyed were not in the convoy of the governor. The thugs targeted the vehicles belonging to Oshiomhole's relations and friend and destroyed them. Thank God for the intervention of soldiers and other security operatives who came to restore peace.

"This would not have happened if not for the thugs who invaded the community loyal to the deputy governor.

However, Comrade Oshiomhole expresses his sincere apologies to the governor, the revered Oba of Lagos and the Chancellor over the unfortunate incident.