• Opposition raising false alarm, preparing excuses for its imminent annihilation –Gov’s aide
Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Edo South senatorial district have protested the assault on Senator Matthew Urhoghide, at the Benin Airport, by alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) thugs.
The protesters, yesterday, marched through the major streets in Benin, brandishing placards with various inscriptions.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said their lawyers, E.E. Agbonwanegbe and Associates, in a paper entitled: “Complaint of assault, attempted murder, harassment and intimidation by APC thugs masquerading as youths,” have petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, to fish out those who molested Urhoghide at the airport.
Nehikhare said PDP is not afraid of intimidation and cannot be cowed by anybody, not to perform its roles as an opposition party.
He said those who want peace should act accordingly, and the PDP will not tolerate a situation where its members are harassed and intimidated for carrying out their legitimate duties.
“Let those who want peace in the state act in accordance with peace. We will not tolerate a situation where our members are harassed, intimidated, brutalised and attacked, for doing a duty for which they were elected,” he said.
In a swift reaction, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said Senator Urhoghide was a victim of his own orchestration.
“A lion handler or snake charmer who loses control of his beasts becomes a victim of his violent circus. As we said before, Urhoghide has to explain to Edo people why, after several trips to and from Benin, without riotous reception, he decided to order PDP youths out of their homes to invade the airport on that occasion.
“Engaging thugs, who Governor Obaseki has since retired, is not a ‘senatorial way’ of assisting our youths who need skills to set up businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Osagie has accused the PDP of raising false alarm and preparing excuses for its imminent annihilation. He said the party’s popularity continues to dwindle daily across the state.
“Worried by Edo people’s rejection of their shenanigans and their imminent annihilation, the PDP has started preparing excuses for its defeat in future elections in the state.
“The PDP’s electoral misfortune is being consolidated upon each day and no amount of false alarm and epistles of lamentation can reverse their current poor rating.
“Obaseki’s scientific and strategic approach to governance, which has left Edo people breathless in admiration, has presented an unsolvable puzzle to the PDP. In their despair, all they can think of doing now is to cry wolf, play the weeping boy and throw pity parties to prepare the minds of their diminishing sponsors for their imminent defeat and annihilation,” he said.
In a related development, the APC youths, led by its leader, Mr. Valentine Asien, yesterday hit the streets of Benin to condemn the protest embarked upon by the PDP, condemning the attack on Urhoghide,.
Valentine, who berated the impeachment motion moved by Urhoghide against President Muhammadu
Buhari, said the APC youths have passed a vote of confidence in him.
He said Buhari has done well and by all standards, deserves a second term.
“We are aware that there was an illegal protest this morning by the PDP youth wing. We kick against that protest. And APC youths have come to move a motion of confidence in the president and at the same time, let you know that our president has done well.
