By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Chairman, Edo State Media and Publicity Directorate, APC Presidential Campaign Council, in the 2023 election, Mr. John Mayaki, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the security agencies to stop ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki from making real his threat to “burn down the country”, since his candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo failed to emerge winner of the governorship election in the state.
It would be recalled that the former Governor, had in a viral 20-second-long video before the governorship election and while addressing leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) threatened to burn down the country. He said, “We just kept quiet last Thursday, if they try what happened last Thursday again in Edo, Nigeria will burn.”
In a statement, Mayaki called on the security agencies to be on the alert now that the elections petition tribunal has commenced its sitting, to frustrate the threat by the former governor since his candidate lost out in the election
“Obaseki and his party, the PDP are busy spreading falsehood in Edo state and making every efforts to discredit the government. They have made efforts to blackmail the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and even obstructed officials of the anti-corruption agency from effecting arrest in Benin city.
“Obaseki and his boys are also plotting to blackmail the judiciary and every institution in the country just to instal his candidate as governor of the state. His threat to burn down the country is real and must be stopped immediately.
“These anarchists and bad losers who cannot wait for the next governorship election must be stoped before they set the country ablaze. The records of Obaseki in promoting violence is fresh in our memories.
“Obaseki’s tenure in office was characterized with chaos, insecurity, and division. Let’s not forget the killing of Inspector Akor, one of the security aides attached to Senator Monday Okpebholo before the election.
“The attack on Senator Matthew Urhoghide under Obaseki’s watch, where thugs attacked the Edo South Senatorial District Senator at the Benin Airport. Rather than condemn the act, Obaseki stood idly by, allowing the breakdown of civility.
“Under his watch, we saw the oppression of political opponents and how Obaseki ordered his predecessor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to stay out of Edo State without “permission” and boasted about “dealing” with him. Such is the character of the man who threatened to burn down the country, if his candidate does not emerge the winner of the governorship election.
“This dictator must be stopped. His threats to democracy is unbecoming and must be tamed. It was Obaseki who notoriously barred 14 elected House of Assembly members from inauguration, and ruled the state with only six legislators. He also suspended local government chairmen, defying Supreme Court judgments.
“Obaseki is a dictator who breathes only violence and intimidation. His administration violently disrupted Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s gubernatorial declaration in 2020 at the Garrick Memorial College and also orchestrated attacks on the Benin Royal Palace during the same period.
“There are several other examples of infractions that Obaseki carried out while in office and outside office – the dictator who ruled with iron-fists, impunity, mismanagement, and intimidation must be stopped forthwith.
“It is time to tame Obaseki and his boys in Edo state, before he sponsors a conflagration across the country. I call on Mr. President and the security agencies to monitor the activities of Obaseki and his boys before they burn down the country. A stitch in time, saves nine”.
