The Edo State Government has dismissed the All Progressives Congress’ request to put Governor Godwin Obaseki on a security watch list ahead of the planned nationwide protest on August 1, 2024.
The APC had accused Obaseki of threatening to burn down the country and conspiring with civil society groups and cultists to create anarchy in the state.
However, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, described the APC’s call as “unfortunate and disgusting” and pointed out the hypocrisy of the APC, citing instances of their members wielding weapons and breaching public peace without consequences, according to Daily Post.
Nehikhare emphasized that the governor is committed to maintaining peace and order in the state.
Tenebe made the call in a statement titled, “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Alerts Federal Government to Put Governor Obaseki on Security Watch”. He said the call was to alert the security agencies that facts have emerged of an engagement between Obaseki and an alleged section of the Civil Society Group drawn from Edo State and cultists from neighbouring states, with the sole aim to recruit them for any protest that may be in the offing.
According to him, it is embarrassing and worrisome that the Edo State House of Assembly has turned a blind eye to the danger Obaseki has become, as the Speaker and members have refused to condemn the serious security breach the governor has committed. “The prevailing circumstance is worrisome and demands urgent action that will frustrate the plan Obaseki has made with Edo State Security Network (ESSN), PUWOV and thugs from the five other South-South States of Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa”, he said. He, however, called on the National Security Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carry out an urgent and comprehensive investigation of the recent meetings that were allegedly held by Governor Obaseki within and outside Edo State.
Tenebe also wants the National Security Adviser to withdraw or change the governor’s security details as the day for the planned protest draws nearer. He also wants the governor’s movement to be restricted before the planned protest, especially on the protest day. He further demanded the resignation of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye for allegedly being partisan in the Benin Airport attack incident that led to the killing of a Police Inspector attached to the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. “Finally, worried by the open partisan role the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye has played in recent times, we request that he should emulate his counterpart, Kimberly Cheatle the United States of America Secret Service Chief, who has resigned for failing to prevent Donald Trump’s assassination attempt.
“In the event he fails to take this honourable path, Mr Adegboye should be transferred out of Edo State, because his action is capable of bringing the force to disrepute.
“The consequences of ignoring this timely call is capable of leading to subsequent breakdown of law and order in Edo State and Nigeria’, he added. Reacting, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare at a press briefing in Benin City, described the call as unfortunate and disgusting.
“It is rather surprising that the APC is calling on the Presidency to put Governor Obaseki on the watch list when there are obvious pictures and videos of APC members wielding sophisticated weapons in the presence of policemen, breaching public peace and unleashing mayhem on the people of the State, and are still walking free. “Their names are not on any watch list and they have not been arrested and prosecuted. What an irony”, he stated.
