THE road crash involving the entourage of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole, on a trip to a campaign event on Tuesday, was a deliberate attempt to assassinate him, the APC has alleged.
At least two Policemen were killed when a truck reportedly rammed into the former Governor’s convoy at Oluku junction while heading to Usen, Ovia South West Local Government Area for a scheduled APC campaign event.
In a statement released by the Publicity Secretary of Edo APC, Chris Azebamwan, the party alleged that the crash was a ‘premeditated plot’ to take the life of the former Edo Governor who it said “has been a thorn in the flesh of the PDP” since his return from Abuja to join the electioneering campaign of the APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Azebamwan, who chronicled previous instances where he said the Governor of Edo State and the candidate of the PDP, Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, had both threatened and allegedly orchestrated attacks on Oshiomhole, said the context left no doubt on the intention of what he called a deliberate incident.
He said, “Today, the entourage of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole making its way to Usen, Ovia South West, was rammed into by a trailer which, as described by members of the entourage and other eye-witnesses, deliberately veered off its lane in an apparent mission to take the life of the former Governor.
“This trailer first rammed into the Toyota Hilux van escorting the former Governor’s entourage before going ahead to hit the Sports Utility Vehicle conveying Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“From all indications, including factual accounts from members of the entourage and other eye-witnesses, the unfortunate crash which took place at Oluku Junction Edo, was a plotted and near-successful assassination attempt.”
He added, “Without preempting the investigation of the Police, we have no doubt on the identity of those responsible for this dark, heartless, and evil plot which led to the death of two excellent Police officers.
“There is only one man in Edo State who hates the presence and any other thing that signifies the person of Adams Oshiomhole. It is this same person who, flanked by his deputy, said before cameras collecting feeds for national news, that they enjoy immunity and that they will deal with anyone who crosses their path, specifically Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“It was the same man who, abusing the powers of his office, tyrannically issued a ban to Adams Oshiomhole, declaring that the former governor must obtain his permission before coming into Edo State or face consequences. He made good this threat when, on Oshiomhole’s arrival to the state, he mobilised thugs to the airport to mount a blockade and unleash mayhem.”
He said, having failed in that attempt, “the same man permanently stationed government trucks at all adjoining roads leading to Oshiomhole’s house in the capital city, effectively denying him his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement while deliberately isolating him and cutting him off from protection to set the stage for another attack which was foiled after a loud outcry.”
The publicity secretary noted, “Even in his village in Iyamho, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole still was not left alone as this man’s Deputy led thugs and hooligans to Oshiomhole’s private residence after an event at the Edo State University, and supervised a shocking display of violence which, but for the quick intervention of the security officials, could have resulted in high-profile casualties.
“This same man, in a disgraceful outburst last month, declared that ‘If they want violence, we will show them violence’ before charging a group of assembled thugs to go on the rampage and execute his barbaric and brutal mandate because they are the ones in government.
“And so, upon the failure of this many atrocious attempts, this man, in his desperate heartlessness, decided to pull his most brazen and final idea—to take the life of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and cleverly arrange it to be an accident.”
