The Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Honorable Lami Danladi Ogenyi, has described as false and misleading the claim by the member representing Ado, Okpokwu, and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Philip Agbese, that there was an attempt to assassinate him recently in Ado.
Reports indicate that Agbese was reportedly attacked in Igumale, the headquarters of his own local government area of Ado, during a constituency outreach organized to mark the Easter celebration.
Some of the suspects were reportedly arrested by the military operation and are currently giving useful information.
Reacting, Ogenyi, who represents Ado State Constituency, said the report on the assassination attempt of Agbese was false as such did not happen.
The Deputy Speaker, in a statement by his spokesman, Agbaji Samuel Atsonwu, also faulted the claim by Agbese that his official vehicle was found with one of the culprits.
“Our attention has been drawn to a falsified and malicious claim by the HoR member for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Fed. Constituency, Hon. Agbese Philip, wherein he alleged that there was an attempt to assassinate him during a function at Igumale, the headquarters of Ado Local Government.
“Ordinarily, one would have just laughed over the sham of a publication aimed at causing public unrest, but for the sake of the unsuspecting public, it’s right that we set certain records straight.
“The information we gathered regarding what transpired was that Agbese, while addressing the crowd at Igumale, started speaking ill of His Excellency and some of the youths who were bold enough admonished him to respect the people’s governor. That was their only offense.
“Agbese, whom we feel might have some connections with the men of the operation whirl stroke, used his power, money, and influence with the army to harass the youths who, in the pictures, were seen being paraded.
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“A very fundamental question begging for an answer is this – what connects innocent, harmless, and armless youths with an assassination attempt on the life of a well-guarded HoR member? Isn’t that laughable?
“It’s saddening that Agbese has chosen to tow the path of violence against anyone conceived not to be on his side. Leadership isn’t so and by all standards, his act of abusing power and privilege is condemnable. Rather than helping the youths, the youths are being harassed for their right of association.
“The same way that Agbese traveled home for Easter, so did the Deputy Speaker, Chief Lami, who went round celebrating Easter with her constituents and everything went fine without any misleading information.
“As for the Ado LG Caretaker Boss, Hon. Onazi Agbese Charles, he has his Media Assistant to clear the air. However, it still remains a shock that while all chairmen, including Hon. Onazi, were away for a leadership summit at Makurdi, one could boldly accuse him of masterminding a supposed assassination attempt. How laughable!
“The public should let Agbese know that unfounded words have consequences before the law,” the statement reads in parts.
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