The attack on Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Monday Okpebholo, in Benin has sparked condemnations and raised concerns about the upcoming governorship election in the state.
The attack, which resulted in the death of a police personnel attached to Okpebholo, Insp. Onu Akon and severe injuries to many others, has been described as a threat to the peaceful conduct of the Sept. 21 off-cycle election.
Shaibu and Okpebholo were exiting Benin City Airport alongside their supporters, shortly after their arrival in Benin from Abuja when some gunmen suspected to be political thugs fired gunshots at them.
This development has, obviously, raised political tension in the state with gladiators engaging in accusations and counteraccusations over who was responsible for the action that has put Edo on the spotlight albeit for a wrong reason.
Shaibu was impeached by the State House of Assembly but secured a judgement from the Federal High Court, Abuja, reinstating him to the office.
The court also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to restore his security aides as well as an immediate payment of his salaries and allowances for the period he was out of office.
Armed with the verdict, the reinstated deputy governor planned a triumphant entry to the state, which was truncated as a result of the bloody attack. Edo Government blamed Shaibu for the incident.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare claimed Shaibu, after getting the judgement, flew to Benin with his friends.
But before entry, he said Shaibu mobilised thugs to wait for him, particularly when he knew the judgement had been appealed.
On arrival, the commissioner said, the deputy governor unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of Edo, and in the process a police officer was killed and many others were injured.
“The CP (Commissioner of Police) should be arresting him, because, as it stands today, he is not the deputy governor and has no immunity.
“We are now calling on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to look into the crisis. The whole thing happened in the presence of the Commissioner of Police and he is one of the witnesses,” he explained.
The Peoples Democratic Party through its Campaign Council for the election corroborated the government’s claim, accusing Shaibu of attempting to forcefully take over the deputy governor’s office in spite of an appeal for stay of execution.
The party at the news conference, organised by its Campaign Council for the state governorship election, knocks the reinstated deputy governor for ignoring the commissioner of police’s advice.
The Director-General of the council, Matthew Duoriyekemwen at a news conference also told the I-G to investigate the incident.
But in a counteraccusation, Shaibu mocked the state government for trying to cover up, questioning the logicality of sponsoring an attack against himself.
He described the incident as an attempt to assassinate him.
Shaibu says he has already instituted a N50 billion lawsuit against the governor and the state officials, who accuse him of masterminding the attack.
“They said I was the one who planned the attack but I came in peacefully from Abuja to the state capital. Why were the armed thugs laying ambush for me? Were they expecting a visitor,” he asked.
On the side of the police, an investigation into the incident is ongoing and those whose names have been mentioned in the incident will be invited for interrogation, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Funsho Adegboye, said.
He described the incident as unfortunate and preventable, saying if political gladiators and actors played the game by the rules, the event of July 18 could have been avoided.
“I am talking to our political gladiators generally irrespective of party affiliations, including their supporters.
“It is a simple thing, if there is a court case; this has to be pursued to a logical conclusion in the court. Our job is simple if our political gladiators want to make it so. The court will direct the bailiff to enforce most judgements and the duty of the police is to protect the bailiff for his safety,” he said.
The commissioner warned against creation of unnecessary tension, saying Sept. 21 governorship election was still far away.
Adams Oshiomhole former Edo governor and Senator representing Edo North has challenged the commissioner of police to defend the integrity of his men by bringing the suspected killers of the officer to justice.
Speaking at the inauguration of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo election, Oshiomhole urged the I-GP to consider the killing, in broad daylight, of one of his officers on a lawful duty, as a national assignment.
The senator vowed to ensure that the National Assembly investigated the attack.
Shielding light on the judgement, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor Jnr., an Abuja-based legal expert said it was declarative court order that outlines the rights and obligations of parties involved in a legal dispute without prescribing specific enforcement actions.
“When a party seeks a stay of execution for such a judgement, he says, it requests the court to temporarily suspend its enforcement pending the outcome of an appeal or other legal proceedings“, he said.
This stay of execution, according to him, is vital as it prevents the adverse effects of immediate enforcement while the matter is under review.
In this case however, he notes that the mere application for a stay of execution by the Edo House of Assembly or the state’s Attorney-General does not stop the enforcement of the judgement.
He opines that Shaibu remained the legally recognised deputy governor until the court hears the application and grants the stay.
The attack has brought to the fore the need for urgent action to stem the rising political tension in the state.
The police have a critical role to play in investigating, arresting and prosecuting the masterminds of the attack.
By doing so, they will not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also send a strong message that political violence will not be tolerated in the state.
The success of the electoral process in the state depends on the ability of all stakeholders to work together towards a common goal.
The security agencies, political leaders, and the general public must collaborate to prevent violence and ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.
By doing so they will be building stronger and more stable democracy that benefits all Edo people.
Usman Aliyu writes from News Agency of Nigeria
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