The All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Ososo and Igarra, Akoko-Edo local government area, was allegedly disrupted by suspected thugs dressed as masquerades, resulting in injuries.
Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of Publicity of the APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, said: “The rally progressed peacefully before some political thugs who accompanied a pretentious masquerade entered with whips, harassing and pushing their way through the crowd… Undeterred, all the speakers… delivered their messages successfully.”
Omo-Ojo added: “Obviously angered by the APC’s determination to rescue Akoko Edo, Tajudeen Bright Alade again moved to Igarra, where over 5000 people had waited… Midway into the rally, a motorcycle rider that had the PDP cap on, made his way into the crowd and he was promptly resisted by locals who identified himself as a PDP youth leader working for the councillor of Ward 1.”
The APC called for the arrest of Tajudeen Alade and Marvellous Omobayo, alleging they were behind the attacks.
However, Alade denied the allegations, saying: “It is laughable for them to make such an allegation against me… Do you know the number of security men; armed police, armed soldiers, DSS that are following them in their campaigns? How could thugs as they claim beat those heavily armed security men to disrupt their rally? They are all lies, nothing like me or the deputy governor sending thugs to attack them in their rallies.”
Alade explained: “I was told that in the melee that ensued between them, one of their members, an APC member who is an okada rider named Elaro David sustained a gunshot injury. I have even visited him and supported him financially for his medical bills… There is no iota of truth in their allegations.”
