National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has blamed Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, for the attacks on Governor Godwin Obaseki; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, Aderemi Makanjuola, and other guests at his residence on Saturday.
Mr Oshiomhole, apparently embarrassed, apologised claiming the thugs acted on the orders of Mr Shaibu.
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In a statement by his chief press secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, Oshiomhole said the tension in the community began last Friday when the deputy governor allegedly imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidating political opponents.
“While this confusion was on, the thugs brought by the deputy governor started destroying the vehicles belonging to Oshiomhole’s kinsmen. I want to state clearly that the vehicles destroyed were not in the convoy of the governor. The thugs targeted the vehicles belonging to Oshiomhole’s relations and friends and destroyed them. Thank God for the intervention of soldiers and other security operatives, who came to restore peace.
“This would not have happened if not for the thugs loyal to the deputy governor, who invaded the community. However, Comrade Oshiomhole expresses his sincere apologies to the governor, the revered Oba of Lagos and the Chancellor over the unfortunate incident,” he said.
But Mr Shaibu has denied being behind the attacks.
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Speaking with journalists moments after the attack, Mr Obaseki said it was “very unfortunate” that such could happen at the residence of the party’s national chairman.
Moments before the attacks, Oshiomhole had spoken glowingly about the governor and hailed him for sustaining his legacies at a ceremony, which witnessed Makanjuola’s installation as chancellor of the Edo University as well as his decoration with honourary degree of Doctors of Science.
