Former Edo APC gov aspirant, Bayelsa Gov candidate attacked by thugs
in Benin Airport
from Omoregie Elvis, Benin
Former Edo state governorship aspirant of the All Progressive
Congress, APC, Mr Blessing Agbomhere and candidate of the Bayelsa
State People’s Democratic Movement, PDM Moses Siasia were on Monday
attacked at the Benin City Airport.
Agbomhere and Siasia were allegedly attacked by over 30 thugs armed
men suspected to be loyal to an APC leader.
Speaking to newsmen at the Police Command headquarters in Benin City
yesterday, Agbomhere alleged that he met the deputy governor at the
Abuja Airport and avoided him but was surprised when he made a call
from the plane ordering some boys to come wait for him at the Benin
airport.
He explained that, “When we came into Benin, I was immediately
attacked by some criminals who were shouting kill him before the
police came to rescue us. And they used all sort of weapons on me.
“I came to Benin because I’m on an assignment on the development of
the Niger-Delta and I am seeing this. I will not be deterred. I will
continue in my effort to promote my state Edo and to ensure that I
still hold public officers accountable to be people.
“If not for the timely intervention of my friend, I don’t know what
some of them were planning to do. I came in with my friend who is a
governorship candidate in Bayelsa state, we were together and
immediately we stepped in we were attacked”. He stated.
Agbomhere further stated that the police have arrested some persons
who have confessed that they were sent to assassinate him.
On his part, Moses Siasia described the attack as unfortunate for
democracy and the leadership of Edo state.
According to him, “I don’t know what political differences he has with
Blessing who was former aspirant, look at me from Bayelsa state,
beaten this way. These are one of the things that cause tribal
clashes.
“We have made our reports to the police, they have given us medical
clearance and we are going to check ourselves. It is unfortunate for
democracy and for leadership in Edo state”. He stated.
Reacting to the alleged assault, the Chief Press Secretary to the
deputy governor, Mr Musa Ebhomiana, described Agbomhere’s claim as
cheap blackmail stating that Hon Shaibu will not stoop so low attack a
brother and a member of the same party with him who hailed from the
same senatorial district.
He said even though the Deputy Governor incidentally boarded the same
plane with Agbomhere, it could not have been possible for the two of
them to depart the airport at the same time, adding that it could not
have been possible for the Deputy Governor to make calls from Abuja or
inside the plane to the alleged thugs to attach him.
“He, [Agbomhere] should look elsewhere for those who attack him at the
Benin airport,” he said.
However, confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer,
DSP Moses Nkombe said full investigation has been launched into the
incident noting that arrest will be made appropriately.