Edo poll: DSS invites Kabaka, nine other APC leaders

The Department of State Services has invited 10 leaders of the All Progressives Congress for a meeting today (Saturday) in its office in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Though the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is expected to dwell on the September 19 governorship election.

A letter written on the agency’s letterhead and dated August 20, 2020 with reference number 171/B/122, which was addressed to Tony Adun (aka Kabaka), read: “I am directed to invite you to an important meeting with the State Director of Security. You are to come with the following persons: Osakpamwan Eriyo, National Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria; Ehis Adams, APC leader, Oredo; Osaro Idahosa, APC Leader; Ikpoba-Okha; Okunbor Roberts, APC leader, Ovia South West Local Government Area; Atarodo, APC member; Kingsley Amedo, APC member; Richard Obe, APC member; Osarobo Idehen, APC member; Dr Emma, APC member.”

The letter indicated that the meeting would hold by 11am at the DSS headquarters in Benin.

An aide to one of the invitees, when contacted on the phone, confirmed that his boss had received such an invitation letter but refused to speak further on it.

“Yes, we received a letter like that; that is all I can say,” the aide added.

Meanwhile, the APC Campaign Council for the Edo State Governorship Election has said the alleged desperation of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to hold on to power is fuelling insecurity in the state.

The APC campaign, in the strongest of terms, condemned what it described as “the daily distribution of illegal arms to mobilise thugs,” and demanded an investigation and arrests, followed by swift prosecution “as a mark of seriousness on the part of the security agencies to protect the integrity of the September 19 election.”

However, Obasaeki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said, “given the ease with which the APC alleges things that do not exist,” Obaseki’s support base across the three senatorial districts of the state was “causing the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his handlers to hallucinate.”

Osagie, in a text message on Friday, stated, “Two days ago, the APC said they saw a vehicle loaded with arms in Governor Obaseki’s convoy. Yesterday, they said security personnel attached to the governor were involved in shooting.

“Today, Friday, they alleged that the PDP is engaged in arms proliferation. Of course, tomorrow, the APC will say the PDP is procuring short-range ballistic missiles or jet bombers, and the day after, they will allege that we are procuring nuclear warheads.

“It takes someone who hallucinates to call a press conference and tell journalists things that exist only in the APC leaders’ heads.”

In a related development, the APC has blamed the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the shooting of a civilian at the PDP rally in Igueben on Wednesday.

The state APC Chairman, Col. David Imuse (retd.), at a press conference on Friday, alleged that the governor was at Ighueben with thugs who shot indiscriminately, injuring one of the attendees at the party’s rally.

The Delta State Commissioner for information, Charles Aniagwu, however, told Saturday Punch that the APC should go ahead with its campaign and stop engaging in diversionary tactics.

Aniagwu said, “In Delta State, we don’t do thuggery. We had our election without any soul being lost. So, how can some persons say we (Delta State) are involved in what they are known for? For me, that is what they are doing and they think others are doing the same.”

The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, while describing the allegations as baseless and lacking foundation, accused Imuse of “lack of content,” adding that the APC had resorted to concocting stories.