National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has blamed Philip Shaibu, deputy governor of Edo state, for the attack on Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos.
The attacked on Saturday at Oshiomhole’s country home in Iyamho, Edo, on Saturday, where the APC’ Chairman planned to launch, dignitaries who had attended the maiden convocation ceremony of the Edo University, Iyambo.
In a statement, Simon Ebegbulem, media aide of Oshiomhole, said tension started in Iyambo when the deputy governor visited on Friday.
“I want to state that the people who unleashed mayhem on vehicles were the thugs who invaded the university community on the orders of the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu,” he said.
“The tension in the community started last Friday when the deputy governor imported thugs into the community with a view to intimidate political opponents.
“In fact the Central Bank governor who delivered a lecture at the convocation ceremony that Friday insisted that the thugs who were disturbing the public must stop the noise-making before he could commence his lecture. Security agents helped to ensure peace before the event started. As a matter of fact, Comrade Oshiomhole left the event through the back so as to avoid being attacked by the thugs who laid siege at the entrance gate of the university.
“Then today (Saturday) which was the main event, the governor, the national chairman of APC, Comrade Oshiomhole and other guests were already in the hall when at about 11:30am, the deputy governor stormed the University with over 200 Okada riders and thugs.
“Security operatives accosted them at the gate and refused them entrance. The thugs started threatening the security operatives who insisted the deputy governor can enter the venue but they will not allow the thugs to gain access.”
The chairman’s aide said Oshiomhole has apologised to the chancellor and the Oba of Lagos for the attack.