APC, PDP supporters clash again in oshiomhole’s constituency

As the campaign for the rescheduled Edo state Governorship gathers momentum, political thugs suspected to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) running mate, Philip Shaibu were alleged to have attacked the convoy of the wife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

BusinessDay gathered the wife of the PDP candidate, Idia Ize- Iyamu was allegedly attacked at Jattu market which incidentally was the community of the APC running mate.

In a swift reaction, Philip Shaibu, the incumbent member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the National Assembly as well running mate to the APC governorship candidate said that he was not known to have history of violence.

A statement by the PDP publicity secretary in the state, Chris Nehikhare, said the party’s candidate wife was attacked at the market along with other PDP women while campaigning from shop to shop educating the people on the contents of the PDP manifesto, tagged SIMPLE AGENDA and educating the people on how to vote right during the election.

Troubled was said to have started when the political thugs allegedly led by the lawmaker were infuriated with the PDP market women shouting political slogan “PDP!” and “Change the Change!”,

The thugs were said to have destroyed several cars in the PDP governorship candidate’s convoy which resulted to violence erupting in the market with market women burning any broom in sight.

The governorship candidate wife was however said to escape unhurt.

“One wonders however what men were doing at the market knowing that APC does not have the practice of projecting their women.

“Philip Shuaibu has a history of violence and you would recall how same Philip Shuaibu allegedly led thugs into the premises of the House of Assembly to beat up opposition members”. He said.

Reacting, an aide to the lawmaker said the governorship running mate and other APC faithful were in a road show tagged “sweep them away”.

He pointed out that the trouble broke out when the PDP thugs led by Jaret Tenebe sighted APC supporters sweeping the Jattu – Auchi road in jattu market area and started stoning.

The aide further added that three of the police officers who were called in to remedy the situation by the lawmaker were attacked by the PDP thugs and currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the locality.

“Philip Shaibu ,and other APC faithfuls where in a road show tagged “sweep them away” The mayhem unfolded today, when the PDP thugs led by Jaret Tenebe sighted APC supporters sweeping the Jattu – Auchi road in Jattu market area and started stoning.

“Three of the police officers who were called in to remedy the situation by the deputy governorship candidate of the APC were attacked by the PDP thugs and they are they are receiving treatment now”, he stated.

He however added that the lawmaker called on APC supporters to remain calm and avoid any provocation and insisted that this election will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and orderliness.