BREAKING: Edo APC crisis: Obaseki humiliates Oshiomole, bans political rallies

The internal schism in Edo has taken another dimension with the latest development.

Yesterday , the All Progressives Congress Youths had barricaded Benin Airport with bone fires with a view to chasing back any guests who may have been coming back for a controversial rally, which Governor Godwin Obaseki said he never knew about. It was reported that no fewer that 15 people were injured during the fiasco.

There has muscle flexing between Obaseki and the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomole over who controls the structures of the party in the state, a rancorous engagement that has gone up to the extent where people can no longer sum up sum according to Shakespeare.

Recall that the genesis of the crises is not unconnected on the choice of who was to be the Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, where the Governor and National Party chairman differed on preferred candidate.

In the course of securing his safety as the governor, Obaseki had Nicodemusly inaugurated only 9 assembly members from where a Speaker emerged living out others who were agitating for Oshiomole’s preferred candidate.

Following the cross-carpeting of Mr Osagie Eze-Iyamu, the Peopels Democratic Party candidate in 2015 who cross-carpeted to APC, and sensing that the new decampee might just be his replacement, Obaseki has repudiated all entreaties for his reception and has gone ahead to frustrate every move to make him have easy sail into APC.

To further make it difficult for Oshiomole and his faction, Edo State Government has placed a total and complete ban on all political rallies, demonstrations or procession in any part of the state.

According to the Nation’s report, It directed all security agencies to deal firmly with all persons, no matter how highly placed who breached the directive.

A statement signed by Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, said the state government has made clear it’s position that the ‘plans by som identified mischief-makers to organise an unauthorised political rally in Bénin City was capable of leading to breakdown of public peace and also danger to the persons and property of Edo citizens.’

The statement warned property owners that any venue which is used for activities in breach of this order shall have its right of occupancy immediately revoked and forfeited to the state government.

Ogie said the state government would not allow any persons turn the state into a battlefield.

“The events of yesterday 12th December, 2019 were a scary prelude to the absolute mayhem which these irresponsible activities would generate if left unchecked.

“In defiance of the clear and publicized instruction of the Inspector General of Police, calling off the proposed rally owing to security implications, these desperate persons are presently shopping around for alternative venues to carry out their incendiary activities.”

Meanwhile, security was tightened around the Edo APC secretariat.

When our reporter visited, scores of APC supporters were seated around the secretariat apparently waiting for any forceful take over of the secretariat.