The All Progressive Congress on Friday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Security Service to probe Thursday’s assassination attempt attempt on the party’s Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Addressing newsmen, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP, the Director of Publicity of the party’s Governorship Campaign Council said the call was necessary to bring the culprits to book and also rein in state sponsored criminals who have brazenly made the political landscape unsafe.
“Anything short of this, is capable of encouraging self help in the state, especially as we enter the crucial campaign season”.
Arguing that the vantage point the assassins who were in a marked Sienna Bus opposite the exit gate of the Benin Airport managed to acquire, is the greatest security breach and failure, especially as the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, and other top officers were at the airport at the time.
“Let it be known that no amount of violent desperation will prevent the APC from providing leadership for the determined concerted patriotic forces working to take back Edo State and reset it to the path of peace and prosperity”.
Omo Ojo said the attempted assassination of Senator Okpebholo was a glaring failure by the Police and security agencies, as it left a serving senator exposed to gunfire in a breach of security that caused fatality.
He added that since those that committed the murder of one of the Senator’s security detail, Inspector Ako and attempted to assassinate Senator Okpebholo are, “hired criminals”, who were identified by security agents present at the scene as representatives of the opposition party, their arrest should not be a challenge.
The party demanded an immediate investigation into the incident, for its massive security failures adding that, “Our candidate did not commit any crime by passing through the airport gate after arriving from Abuja. Likewise, members of the APC who received him on his arrival”.
“Okpebholo’s peaceful procession from the airport to the APC Secretariat would have been conducted peacefully without any problem if the gunmen had not decided to ambush the candidate and his supporters at the Benin airport exit.
“This unprovoked horrific act of political violence against a peaceful Nigerian Senator should have no place in Edo State. It should be unanimously and forcefully condemned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the good people of Edo State.
“After a careful reflection, the APC regrets the killing of a serving police officer, who was murdered in cold blood while carrying out his official assignment.
Comrade Omo Ojo said the party is, “appalled by the pains caused by injuries sustained by hundreds of our members during the unexpected attack. We are grateful that Senator Okpebholo appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful motorcade”.
