APC Crisis: Edo Government Talk Tough, to Deal With Oshiomhole, Others For Breaching Peace

Edo State Government has warned the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and members of his political group that it would no longer tolerate the violations of law and order in the state.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie on Monday, the government frowned on what it described as the violations of order of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against political rallies in the state which led to violence at Saturday’s rally organized by the Edo Political Movement (EPM), a political group supported by the chairman.

“In the past few months, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has repeatedly breached the peace and safety of Edo State and in several cases, caused disruption that has led to bodily harm to our citizens and the destruction of public and private property.

“Oshiomhole, without regard for the consequences of his actions, has continued to defy the judiciary, violating orders and disregard the police, while the order from the Inspector General of Police is being treated with disdain, and rules set by the state government to keep the peace in the state are completely ignored” the statement said.

“This unimaginable act of violence was planned and hatched by Comrade Oshiomhole at his country home in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. The next was when he disregarded the order of the Inspector General of the Police, stopping him from organising a political rally in Benin in the interest of peace and safety. In violation of this directive, Comrade Oshiomhole attempted to hold the rally, resulting in serious tension in the state, which left many injured and property worth millions destroyed.

“On Saturday, January 25, against the directive by the Nigeria Police and the Edo State Government that rallies held in the name of APC by the Edo Peoples’ Movement (EPM) are unauthorised and illegal, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole went ahead to hold a political rally along with his compatriots in the proscribed EPM amid violence and disturbance of public peace.

“As Governor of Edo State between 2008 and 2016, Comrade Oshiomhole would never have tolerated such brazen disruption of peace and security when he was the Chief Security Officer of the state.”

He added that Comrade Oshiomhole had also continued to parade one Col. David Imuse (rtd) as Chairman of the APC in the state in violation of a court order, restraining Col. Imuse from parading himself or anyone from dealing with him as chairman of the party in the state.

Osarodion added: “But, Edo State Government needs Comrade Oshiomhole to understand that the state and the country are governed by laws. These laws are upheld by institutions that must be respected by highly-placed politicians and everyone else.

“The state government would not tolerate the disruption of peace and security in Edo, and it must be stated that Comrade Oshiomhole has continued his double-speak and insincerity. He talked of peace and unity, but by his actions, he promotes violence, division and disaffection among the genuine members and leaders of the party in the state, using imported mercenaries.

“The Edo State Government, however, wants to warn that neither Comrade Adams Oshiomhole nor any member of his dissident group is above the law. We want to stress that the laws of the land are still very potent and the government of Edo State along with security agencies in the state will not tolerate this abuse of power, violation of rules and endanger of public safety and peace.”

“Those, who were actively involved or who remotely enabled the disregard of the directives against holding such disorderly gatherings, are hereby warned that anybody, no matter how highly placed, who pitches himself against the law and order, and whose actions trample on emplaced rules, will face the full wrath of extant laws of the land. We will spare no effort in ensuring that there is no repeat of this unlawful action”.