From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, accused the past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, for being the brain behind the violent protest in the state.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made the allegation while briefing newsmen on the violence protests that have erupted in the state as regards the cash crunch.
He said the governor in his recent comments instigated the people of the state to take up arms with the view of causing unrest that could lead to the postponement of the forthcoming general elections in the country because his party is losing.
“We have been around the city all day and we have been speaking with some protesters and we have done our own serious and thorough investigations and unfortunately, we discovered that there is more than meet the eyes.
“At this junction, I will like to call on the security agencies to call former governor Adams Oshiomhole for questionings.
“He should be arrested and also made to account for his movements in the last few days especially here in Benin City.
“Oshiomhole deliberately instigated the protest by the people and I am sure you are all aware that a few days ago, a video was already shut off and before they shut that video off, Oshiomhole was speaking, he was instigating the people to go on rampage to intimidate people in Benin City and go about destroying government property.
“He said he wanted to create panick in our city because his party is about to lose the forthcoming general elections”, Nehikhare alleged.
He said it was ironical for Oshiomhole to be fanning the ember of crisis in the state when his party is the one in power.
“I know people are thinking that today’s protests is as a result of the scarcity of the naira notes but if that is the case, all Nigerians should know which political party, because it is ironic that the political party that is responsible for this policy is the same party that is now sending people to go and destroy PDP bill boards on the streets”, Nehikhare added.
On his part, the Special Adviser on Media Project to the governor, Crusoe Osagie called on the people of the state to remain calm as the state government is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to make money available in banks and various outlets.
He called on them to use their PVCs to vote out the party that has brought them the hardship that the are facing currently.
Reacting, the Media Aide to Adams Oshiomhole, Victor Oshoke said Oshiomhole is busy campaigning for the APC presidential candidate and his senatorial ticket and did not instigate anybody to riot.
“Oshiomhole didn’t make any statement to suggest that anybody should riot against anybody. He is busy campaigning to Edo North people for his senatorial ambition and for Tinubu presidential race.
“He has no time to call for violence because the people love him. Edo state government are rattled and nervous by the acceptance Oshiomhole get any where he goes to in Edo state.
“They want to blackmail him because they have seen his acceptance after almost eight years in government against Obaseki’s government who had failed woefully in Education, road, agriculture and other aspects of the economy.
“The people are happy because of Oshiomhole’s performance which Obaseki can’t match and they want to distract him.
“If Oshiomole could not instigate people in past election, while would he now instigate violence now that he is contesting and the people are with him.
Oshiomhole is in Etsako campaigning, there is no riot, so Obaseki is from Benin and he should check himself”, Oshoke said.