joshuaEdo APC Calls For Investigation Into Assassination Attempt On Senator Okpebholo
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The All Progressive Congress Governorship Campaign Council for
Senator Monday Okpebholo’s September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo state, has called for investigation to the attempted assassination of the party’s candidate.
In a release in Benin City , comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of Publicity, APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, stated that,
those responsible for the murder of Inspector Ako and attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo are hired criminals who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party.
Senator Okpebholo’s supporters, and some unknown thugs clashed at the exit gate of the Benin airport yesterday while with the former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu to resume office as directed by the federal high court Abuja .
He said, Sadly, the assassins succeeded in gruesomely taking the life of Police Inspector Onu Ako, one of his security details
” Okpebholo’s peaceful procession from the airport to the APC Secretariat would have been conducted peacefully without any problem if the gunmen had not decided to ambush the candidate and his supporters at the Benin airport exit.”
“Let it be known that our candidate did not commit any crime by passing through the airport gate after arriving from Abuja. Likewise, members of the APC who received him on his arrival.
OmO-Ojo added that, those that committed the murder of Inspector Ako and attempted to assassinate Senator Okpebholo are the hired criminals who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party.
Stating that, the party is also appalled by the pains caused by injuries sustained by hundreds of our members during the unexpected attack. We are grateful that Senator Okpebholo appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful motorcade.
He further stated that, The attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate represents a glaring failure by the Police, which left a serving senator exposed to gunfire in a breach of security that caused fatality.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Security Service to probe this assassination attempt and bring the culprits to book and the state sponsored criminals who have brazenly made the political landscape unsafe.
According to him, anything short of this, is capable of encouraging self help in the state, especially as we enter the crucial campaign season.
The vantage point the assassins who were in a marked Sienna Bus opposite the exit gate managed to acquire, is the greatest security breach and failure, especially as the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, and other top officers were at the airport to ensure peace.
Let it be known that no amount of violent desperation will prevent the APC from providing leadership for the determined concerted patriotic forces working to take back Edo State and reset it to the path of peace and prosperity.
