…I will operate from my house to avoid bloodshed – Shaibu
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Edo State Government engaged in a heated blame game following the violent clash at the Benin Airport last Wednesday.
The violence, involving thugs and supporters of the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and APC governorship candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to others.
Upon his reinstatement by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Comrade Shaibu returned to Benin armed with a court order to resume his duties. He was joined by Sen. Okpebholo, but violence erupted as soon as their convoy left the airport, leading to gunfire and casualties.
The Edo State APC called for the dismissal of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye. Prince Kassim Afegbua, the APC Campaign Council’s Media Consultant, criticized Adegboye for failing to prevent the violence despite being present at the airport.
Afegbua alleged, “The State Commissioner of Police was on the ground at the Benin airport but did nothing to repel the vicious attack which led to the death of one of his officers.
The Edo State Government, represented by Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare and Special Adviser on Media Projects Crusoe Osagie, accused Shaibu of orchestrating the violence. They called for his arrest and a federal investigation into the incident.
“The state commissioner of police had an intelligence report and went to the airport to caution him (Shaibu) but he defied the advice,” Nehikhare stated.
Tony Aziegbemi, the state chairman of the PDP, also called for a thorough investigation. He expressed concern over what he described as the APC’s and Sen. Okpebholo’s desperation ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
Shaibu announced plans to sue government officials for defamation and contempt of court, insisting that he had lawfully resumed his position.
“The judgment from the court is declarative. I have instructed my lawyers to sue them for defamation of character and contempt of court,” Shaibu said. He confirmed that he would operate from his house to avoid further violence.
CP Funsho Adegboye reported that the police are investigating the names of those involved in the airport violence. He emphasized the need for political actors to adhere to the rules to prevent such incidents.
“If we play the game according to the rules, the ugly incident would not have happened,” Adegboye said, noting that the police’s role is to support the enforcement of court orders, not to enforce them directly.
This incident underscores the escalating tensions in Edo State as political parties prepare for the upcoming elections, with all sides calling for accountability and legal action to address the violence.