‘I’m Not Behind Protests In Edo’ – Oshiomhole Replies Obaseki

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has denied an allegation that he was behind the protests in the state.

Naija News earlier reported that Governor Godwin Obaseki called for the arrest and probe Oshiomhole over the protests that rocked Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Speaking at a press conference in Benin City, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, accused Oshiomhole of being behind the protests and called for his immediate arrest and investigation.

But in a swift reaction, Oshiomhole’s media aide, Victor Oshioke, said his principal is not responsible for the protests in the state, saying that the call for his arrest is unnecessary.

Oshioke added that the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) didn’t make any statement to suggest the protests that erupted in the state earlier in the day.

He said “If Oshiomhole used the word intimidate, he said they should intimidate them with their own campaign, he said they should not leave the space in Edo for other parties because Edo is an APC state.

“The short video is everywhere, if they have the whole video let them post it and judge it with the short one they have, did he say demonstrate? No.

“Oshiomhole said they should intimidate them with their own crowd, that the APC crowd should be able to intimidate other parties’ crowds in Edo.

“As we speak, Oshiomhole is in Port Harcourt, yesterday (Tuesday) he was in Imo state and he went to all these places from Auchi where he has been campaigning.

“Is there a protest in Auchi or any part of Edo North  Oshiomhole is busy campaigning for the APC presidential candidate and his senatorial ticket and did not instigate anybody to riot.

“Oshiomhole didn’t make any statement to suggest that anybody  should riot against anybody. He is busy campaigning to Edo North people for his senatorial ambition and for Tinubu presidential race.

“The Edo state government is rattled and nervous  by the acceptance Oshiomhole gets anywhere he goes to in Edo state almost eight years after he left office against Obaseki’s and Shaibu’s government who had failed woefully.

“If Oshiomole did not instigate people in the past election in the state, why would he now instigate violence when he is contesting and the people are with him?”.