Tension in Edo as APC raises alarm over alleged arms-dealing by Obaseki's deputy

With less than three weeks to the Edo governorship election, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have heightened the verbal attacks against each other despite the recent peace meeting at the palace of Oba of Benin.

In what looked like another game of wits, APC through its campaign media spokesperson, John Mayaki, alleged that Edo deputy governor Philip Shaibu was involved in gunrunning.

Mayaki, while alerting the security operatives, said the deputy governor was fingered in the collection of arms in Akoko-Edo local government in connection with some PDP members.

He also alleged that thugs from Rivers, Delta and Kogi have been conveyed to Edo state to cause violence, intimidate voters and rig the election.

But in a swift reaction, Shaibu described the allegation from Osagie Ize-Iyamu camp as false, saying it is APC showing desperation to win the election.

The deputy governor, who denied the gun-running link through a statement by his senior special assistant on media, Benjamin Atu, vowed that the state government under Godwin Obaseki will not allow APC to machinate violence against the will of people.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that former chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has reacted to the allegation levelled against him by Maryann Shaibu, the wife of Shaibu.

The deputy governor's wife had alleged that Oshiomhole was behind an alleged threat to her life and family.

Mrs Shaibu in a petition through her solicitors, Idemudia Ilueminosen & co, to the Edo state commissioner of police, Johnson Kokumo, claimed Oshiomhole declared that he has sent some thugs to monitor her movements in Etsako West local government area so as to carry out the threat of dealing with her.