CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo Central, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, has appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to pardon those who assaulted him recently at Irrua.
This is just as the Esan leader hinted that he has dropped his Senatorial ambition for Edo Central to actively support the efforts of Governor Godwin Obaseki and APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomohle to mobilize Edo Central Senatorial district to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari come February 2019.
Inegbeneki, in a press statement made available to TribuneOnline on Monday in Warri, Delta State, however, urged the police to apprehend the hoodlums who hijacked a peaceful protest by Esan youths to assault the governor.
He said Edo State should take the lead in the re-election bid of President Buhari do much so as the national chairman, Oshiomhole hails from there.
“After extensive consultations, I have decided to step down my 2019 Senatorial ambition for a bigger task which is supporting our governor, Godwin Obaseki and our National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle to return Buhari to Aso Rock Villa in 2019.
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“And because Oshiomohle is from Edo State, the state is expected to take the lead to the victory of President Buhari both at the primaries and general elections, this I think is more important than my personal Senatorial ambition.
“On the issue of the attack on the Governor at Irrua on the 20th of August 2018, the assault on the governor is unacceptable and condemnable.
“It was a peaceful protest organized by Esan Youths Movement which was hijacked by hoodlums to assault and embarrass our governor.
“I am appealing to Governor Obaseki to ‘temper justice with mercy’ and forgive the protesters.
“I also urge the Police to apprehend the perpetrators of the act and bring them to book,” he noted.
The Esan chief further denied the allegations that he was behind the hoodlums who embarrassed the governor, saying his detractors were out to create enmity between the governor and himself.
“I am not a violent person and will not support any plan to attack the Governor. Myself and Opoji people have benefited from Godwin Obaseki’s two years in office.
“The road in front of my house Ikinago – Ujosanle road was constructed by Obaseki so why will I pay him back with evil?
“I am appealing to the Governor not to believe the cooked up story from the pit of hell which is calculated to create bad blood between the Governor and I,” he pleaded.
