Because of the naira scarcity protest that resulted in the deaths of some people in the state, Governor Godwin Obaseki has requested that security personnel detain his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki, speaking through Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, told journalists in Benin, the state capital, that the protest was politically motivated based on investigations.
He stated that a viral video in which the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) encouraged people to go on a rampage prompted the call for Oshiomhole’s arrest and questioning.
We have completed our investigations after spending the entire day in the city and speaking with some of the protesters. It turns out to be more than meets the eye.
“At this point, we would like to request that security agencies contact Adams Oshiomhole to conduct an investigation. He ought to be detained and held accountable for his actions over the past few days, particularly in Benin City. The people’s outcry was deliberately sparked by Oshiomhole.
He claimed that Oshiomhole orchestrated the violence to cause damage to government assets in order to “bring anarchy to our city because his government is about to lose the forthcoming general elections,” pointing out that the states under PDP control were the ones where the riots took place.
However, the publication’s checks revealed that riots were taking place in Ondo, which is governed by the APC.
Nehikhare stated, “I know people will think the protest is because there aren’t enough naira notes; however, even if that is the case, Nigerians should know which political party is involved because it is ironic that the political party that is responsible for this policy is the same party that sends people to destroy PDP billboards.”
Victor Oshioke, Oshiomhole’s spokesperson, responded by denying the claim and stating that the APC presidential candidate and Oshiomhole are both actively engaged in campaigning.
The APC’s candidate for the Edo North Senatorial district election on February 25 is the former governor.
Because the Edo people love him, Oshiomhole has no time to call for violence. The increasing acceptance of Oshiomhole throughout the state has rattled Obaseki and his supporters.
“They want to blackmail him because they have seen his acceptance after nearly eight years in government against Obaseki’s government, which had failed woefully,” the statement reads. He stated, “The people want to distract Oshiomhole because they are happy with Oshiomhole because of his performance, which Obaseki cannot match.”
He claims that Oshiomhole hasn’t said anything that would encourage rioting, and he also claims that Oshiomhole is busy promoting his senatorial ambition to Edo North residents.
“If Oshiomhole was unable to incite violence during previous elections, why would he now? Now that he is running for office and the people are supporting him. There is no riot in Etsako, where he is campaigning. And Obaseki is from Benin; therefore, he ought to investigate for himself,” he stated.