Tony Inegbedion
All in not well in Edo State particularly as the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced September 19 , 2020 as the day for the Gubernatorial elections. In the last couple of months, a lot of attacks have been unless on perceived political opponents to the Governor within the ruling All Progressives Congress in Edo State. Former Attorney General of Edo State Henry Idahagbon had his office attacked with several bullets renting his building at Siluko road, several party members beating and attacked for daring to hold political meetings not aimed at promoting the second term ambition of the Governor.
The hotel and other business interests of Comrade Eriyo Osakpamwan, National President of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria has been attacked. Indeed the hotel belonging to Comrade Tony Kabaka, Chairman of Akugbe Ventures was pulled down by the Obaseki administration on flimsy excuse of been an illegal structure. As the two sides begins to plan for the APC primaries there are indications that the Deputy Governor who many believed is the hatchet man of the government in unleashing violence and attacks on political opponents have jointly compiled a list in collaboration with some aides of the Governor of prominent political figures in each of the Local government areas with a view to intimidating them to submission.
Earlier the Governor has petitioned the same people to the Inspector General of Police on trump up charges of violating the ban on political rallies in Edo State. In the new strategy the Governor and his Deputy have concluded plans to take out anyone who they perceived as opposed to them including the National Chairman of the Party Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Sources close to the government house at Osadebay Avenue hinted that Obaseki and his Deputy has become rudderless, blood thirsty and seeking for who to devour in order to achieve their second term ambition.
They have come to the conclusion that unless the kill and maim prominent individual in the opposing camp their quest to overrun the state in the next election will be a mirage.
In any case recent events where the Governor was seen threatening the National Chairman withfire and brimstone bears eloquent testimony to this acts of intimidation and attacks.
However those opposed to Obaseki’s second tend are not sleeping as they are also strategizing on how to tackle the Governor who has become a lose canon.
Prominent Edo APC leaders and members needs to be extra careful in the days ahead in EdoState politics.