Politics
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
A campaign rally organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State descended into chaos on Thursday.
The rally, intended to drum up support for the APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the upcoming Edo governorship election, was met with fierce resistance from residents.
A viral video, widely shared on social media, shows footage of a large crowd of Ososo residents hurling stones and other objects at APC leaders, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, House of Representatives member Ohio Akpatason, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, and Honourable Anslem Agbabi.
The rally, meant to be a platform for political engagement, quickly deteriorated into a scene of pandemonium.
Eyewitnesses described how the crowd’s initial chants of disapproval rapidly escalated into violence, with stones striking the APC leaders and their entourage.
“It was shocking to see how quickly things went from bad to worse,” said one resident, who witnessed the events unfold.
“The people of Ososo were clear in their rejection of the APC. When the stones started flying, it was clear that the rally was no longer under control,” he added.
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Meanwhile, reports indicate that APC thugs retaliated by shooting a resident. The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but eyewitnesses confirmed the incident.
Osagie, another witness, said: “The atmosphere was already tense, but when the shooting happened, chaos erupted. People were running, screaming, and trying to get away from the violence. It was a terrifying experience.”
Following the outbreak of violence, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and other APC leaders were swiftly escorted away from the scene by security personnel.
The APC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but sources suggest that the party is deeply concerned about the escalation.
A close associate of Oshiomhole commented, “The situation was regrettable, and we are currently reviewing what happened. We are committed to ensuring that the incident is thoroughly investigated and that such violence is addressed appropriately.”
The violent turn of the rally has sparked widespread condemnation, with social media users and political commentators calling for accountability.
Osaze Samuel, coordinator of the pro-democracy group Movement For Democracy, criticized the APC’s approach to campaign rallies.
His words: “The use of violence to suppress dissent and manipulate political outcomes is unacceptable.
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“We demand that those responsible for the violence, including the shooting of an innocent resident, be held accountable.”
Residents have also voiced their frustration, accusing the APC of attempting to force its way into communities despite growing opposition.
“We have made our stance clear. We do not want them here, and we won’t be intimidated by violence,” said a local activist who spoke anonymously.
On its part, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it is investigating the incident.
A spokesperson for the command stated, “We are taking this matter very seriously. An investigation is underway to determine the full extent of what happened and to bring those responsible to justice.”
As tensions remain high in Ososo and across Edo State, there are growing concerns that similar incidents could occur as the governorship election approaches.
The election, scheduled for September 21, 2024, features Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okpebholo of the APC, and Barr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party as the major candidates.
In light of the recent violence, various civil society groups and political analysts are calling for peaceful campaigning and respectful engagement.
“Our political process must not be marred by violence,” said a representative from the Edo Election Monitoring Group.
“It is imperative that all parties conduct their campaigns in a manner that respects the democratic rights of the people and ensures a free and fair election,” she added.
APC rally turns chaotic in Edo, residents stone Oshiomhole, other party leaders
Politics
PDP govs, NWC move to remove Damagun, Wike’s loyalist, as acting national chairman
PDP govs, NWC move to remove Damagun, Wike’s loyalist, as acting national chairman
Nigerian Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the National Working Committee of the party have resolved to sack IIiya Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the party.
Bauchi State Governor, who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, made the revelation on Tuesday night shortly after meeting with the party’s NWC
DAILY POST reports that Damagum is a staunch loyalist of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He was made the acting Chairman of the party following the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman in June 2023.
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Speaking on the leadership crisis rocking the main opposition party, Governor Mohammed, who addressed journalists shortly after the meeting with the party’s NWC, said it is a “constitutional aberration” for Damagum to remain in office.
He said the North Central would be given the opportunity to complete the tenure of the former national chairman, Ayu who hailed from Benue State.
He said, “My brother from the North East is acting as the National Chairman and it is a constitutional aberration because according to our Constitution, any vacancy that exists of leadership position should return where it is created
“We know the North Central has been craving for it and we have discussed the issue and would work with that as the chairman, the National Working Committee and the Party to ensure that the North Central is given the opportunity to assume that responsibility.
“The North East also benefited from such constitutional arrangements after the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Former Governor Ahmadu Muazu became the National Chairman of the PDP. It is not something that is in contention by the grace of God.”
PDP govs, NWC move to remove Damagun, Wike’s loyalist, as acting national chairman
Politics
Fubara suspends local govt caretaker chairman
Fubara suspends local govt caretaker chairman
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has suspended Otonye Briggs, caretaker committee chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.
A statement on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, said the suspension was with immediate effect.
Chukwudi however did not state the reasons for Briggs’ suspension.
He said Governor Fubara had directed Bitebobo Nelson Amieye to take over as caretaker committee chairman.
The governor also directed Briggs to hand over all council property in his possession to Amieye immediately.
Briggs was inaugurated on June 19, with 23 other caretaker committee chairmen.
Politics
We have enough water to quench Wike’s fire, says Bauchi gov
We have enough water to quench Wike’s fire, says Bauchi gov
Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, says the state government has enough water to quench the fire that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, threatened to put in the states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors supporting Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Fubara and Wike have been at daggerdrawn for months over the control of Rivers PDP.
Speaking at a PDP congress in Rivers recently, the FCT minister warned governors in the party against interfering in the affairs of the opposition party in Rivers state.
Wike then said he would “put fire” in the states of the governors siding with Fubara.
Bauchi governor who on Tuesday hosted some members of PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) said nobody could set Bauchi on fire.
“We are together; nobody can put fire in Bauchi,” the governor said.
“We have volumes of water that will quench the fire – even my friend (Wike) that said so, it is because he is annoyed. But it is not personal.
“My friend is my friend, and my job is my job, leadership is leadership.
“This unsolicited visit by the NWC shows that in Nigeria, we have hope, and we are connected by the value and the stability of PDP for peace and stability in our party and in our country.
“Yes, none of the parties is isolated in terms of crisis here and there. Crises are there, that is why leadership is also there. That is why we have to take the bull by the horns to discuss and look at the constitution of our party PDP.
“All the parties must do things by the rule of law. We must respect people, we must put our interest aside, we must respect our diversity. We must meet and close ranks especially when the issue has to do with our party, the PDP.
“Our party has pedigree and most of the development in this country was done by the PDP.
“When PDP left, nothing was done.”
National Legal Adviser of the party, Kamaldeen Adeyemi, said they visited the Bauchi governor to identify with him.
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