Oshiomhole arming youths in Edo state, says deputy governor

Ahead of the Edo election, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been accused of sponsoring thugs to cause violence in the state.

The Edo state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu made the allegation recently in an interview.

The deputy governor alleged that Oshiomhole was already stockpiling arms ahead of the poll.

Edo state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has alleged that the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is sponsoring thugs to cause violence in the state

The running mate to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the governorship election disclosed this in an interview with Nigerian Tribune.

Shaibu also noted that the former Edo governor is importing thugs and assassins while arming youths in the state.

The deputy governor went on to note that ahead of the state governorship election Oshiomhole was already stockpiling arms.

According to Shaibu, he has informants in Oshiomhole's house who give him updates daily about what goes on. He explained that these boys are his friends, adding that they give him information themselves.

He said: "These same boys are my friends and they tell me themselves. It is true; Oshiomhole is stockpiling arms ahead of the governorship election."

Shaibu recalled how he received information that Oshiomhole was bringing assassins into Edo state and told the security agencies but they thought he was joking.

"One of them told me that they were going to do that and I alerted the security agencies that I got information that there were plans to disrupt our campaigns and where they would be coming from," he added.

The deputy governor noted that they have already reported to law enforcement agencies, hoping that this time around they will take action to protect the lives and property of the people of Edo state.

It would be recalled that Shaibu alleged that Oshiomhole was planning to cause mayhem and disrupt the September 19 governorship in the state.

The deputy governor, who spoke to journalists in Benin city, the Edo state capital, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call Oshiomhole and his followers to order and stop them from setting Edo state on the path of chaos and anarchy.

According to Shaibu, “Oshiomhole and his allies, having discovered that they cannot win the election in a free and fair contest, have resorted to violence and thuggery to set the state ablaze and foist an unpopular candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on the people.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Governor Obaseki accused his predecessor of sponsoring attacks against him.

Obaseki said on Thursday, August 13, that his convoy was attacked at ward 10, Apana, Etsako West local government area of the state, where Oshiomhole hails.

In a statement issued by Crusoe Osagie, his spokesman, on his behalf, Obaseki said the suspected thugs behind the attack were dislodged by a combined team of security personnel and vigilante groups.