Edo monarch to probe alleged attack on deputy governor

As reactions continue to trail the alleged attack on Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, at Auchi while on a campaign tour of the town, the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, has vowed to investigate the matter, describing the incident as unusual in the area.

He told The Guardian on phone yesterday that “there are unusual happenings around here and I want to make my investigation before giving a press conference on all the issues. I will come back to you.”

One of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Godwin Obaseki, has also called on relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged shooting.

In a statement yesterday, Obaseki strongly condemned the incident, describing it as, “not in the spirit of equity and fair play by which all political gladiators should align.”

The Obaseki Campaign Organisation charged “all politicians not to use violence of any sort as a tool for electioneering. We persuade all politicians to take heed and be mindful of incendiary comments and rhetoric that could encourage violence of any sort,” he said.

Obaseki warned that: “Our resolution on non-violence is unshaken and we ask again that all politicians embrace this policy,” he added.

But the APC chairman in the area, Abubakar Umoru Akokia who was with the deputy governor during the alleged attack, attributed it to hoodlums who stormed the party secretariat to show solidarity with him.

There were also allegations that Odubu visited the area with thugs in his entourage.

Akokia, who narrated the incident to newsmen said: “Yesterday, the deputy governor came to visit us, before he came, there were hoodlums everywhere. I even asked that they leave until he comes to address delegates. But they said they were his supporters. So, I left them.”