The political differences between the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and his estranged godfather and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Saturday, took a violent dimension, as thugs unleashed mayhem on guests at the country home of the former governor.
The guests, who included the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Governor Obaseki and Chancellor of the Edo University, Iyahmo, Dr Aderemi Makanjuola, were scurried to safety, as the thugs invaded the residence.
The governor and the other guests had attended the maiden convocation ceremony of the state university at Iyamho, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
An eyewitness to the fracas said that the Oba of Lagos and the governor had gone to Oshiomhole’s house to honour the former governor’s invitation for a lunch after the ceremony.
“The former governor’s house is just opposite the university. Governor Obaseki, 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, alleged to be one of Oshiomhole’s cousins,” the eye witness said.
It took the intervention of the governor’s security details to prevent a blood bath, but several vehicles were damaged by the rampaging thugs.
The relationship between Obaseki and Oshiomhole had gone sour in the run-up to the 2020 governorship election in the state.
Yesterday’s attack, which bore all the hallmark of a revenge attack, after an alleged attack on Oshiomhole, started first at Iyamho during the convocation ceremony where the governor and his deputy were booed.
Earlier, supporters of the feuding duo had stormed the ivory tower chanting solidarity songs and praising their leaders.
It was observed that while Obaseki’s supporters were shouting “four plus four,” Oshiomole’s supporters replied by chanting “three plus one, no more four.”
The intervention of the security agents, who dispersed the groups with tear gas, prevented the scenario from degenerating into a bloody clash between the supporters.
But at the residence of the former governor, the windscreens of two vehicles in the governor’s convoy were smashed with stones by the thugs.
Obaseki, it was gathered, had to turn back without seeing the national chairman.
It was gathered that Oshiomole, who was inside his room, was informed of the development, but before he came out, the governor and his entourage had already gone.
The source noted that Oshiomole, who was not aware of the attack, was furious when he heard of the development.
It’s unfortunate we are not safe in our chairman’s house —Obaseki
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the incident, Governor Obaseki described the incident as unfortunate.
“It is really unfortunate that we can’t feel safe at the house of our national chairman. I am not sure that if I went to the house of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they will attack me the way they did in the house of our chairman.
“It is really unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent, but we will continue to pursue peace and we cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years,” he said.
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Thugs were reacting to deputy governor’s action –Oshiomhole’s aide
The Chief Press Secretary to Oshiomhole, Mr Simon Ebegbulem, who described the incident as unfortunate, apologised to the governor, Oba Akiolu, and the university chancellor, Dr Makanjuola.
Ebhomiana said during the mayhem, four government vehicles were destroyed by the thugs who called Obaseki and Shaibu unprintable names, but nobody was injured as security agents refrained from shooting at the crowd.
“Nobody was hurt as the security operatives didn’t shoot. But four of our vehicles were damaged by the thugs who attacked the governor, the deputy and the Oba of Lagos.”
According to Ebegbulem, tension started on Friday when the deputy governor allegedly imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidating political opponents.
“In fact, the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who delivered a lecture at the convocation ceremony on Friday, insisted that the thugs who were disturbing the public must stop the noise making before he could commence his lecture,” he said.
The spokesman added that the security agents helped to ensure peace before the event started, adding that Oshiomhole left the event through the back door to avoid being attacked by the thugs who laid a siege to the entrance of the university.
Ebegbulem added: “Today (Saturday) which was the main event, the governor, the national chairman, 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 them. 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 opposite 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 the 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 friends and destroyed them. Thank God for the intervention of soldiers and other security operatives who came to restore peace.”
Effort to speak with the state Police Commissioner proved abortive as he refused to answer several calls put to his mobile phone, while the command›s spokesman, Mr Chidi Nwanbuzor had his mobile telephone line consistently engaged.
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