There is a plot to eliminate All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, 14 Edo State House of Assembly members-elect alleged on Thursday.
The lawmakers-elect, who were not sworn-in along with their colleagues as part of a fall-out of the crisis in the state APC, accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of establishing a special militia group to eliminate Oshiomhole.
They, however, did not provide details of when the militia was set up, who are its members, how they were armed, or any evidence to substantiate the allegation.
The lawmakers-elect warned that they will not fold their hands and watch any of their leaders and members killed, adding the governor does not have a monopoly of violence.
They said Obaseki’s endorsement for a second term by Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, was an indication that he would defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Former Edo Speaker Victor Edoror, who spoke for the lawmakers-elect at a briefing in Abuja, said the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders on the crisis was not helping the situation.
They urged the President and other leaders to call Obaseki to order.
Edoror said: “We want to believe that because the leaders of our party across the country have been quiet to call governor Godwin Obaseki to order, he has been further emboldened to kill everybody due to his desperate ambition for a second term.
“He has recruited a killer-squad in Edo State and their mandate is to kill Comrade Oshiomhole and other APC leaders. So he has continued to create the crisis and disrupt public peace.
“Recent amongst so many is frustrating several reconciliation efforts by the National Working Committee, the National Assembly, well-meaning Edo sons and in fact, leaders of our great party.”
Other allegations against Oshiomhole, according to Edoror, are: “Instituting several court cases against the party and the National Chairman in several courts around the country, thereby bringing our great party to disrepute;
“Massive protest by thugs sponsored by the state government on the 16th of December, 2019 where cars were burnt and several persons injured just to stop a rally to receive defectors from other political parties to our great party.”
He urged President Buhari and the IG to call Oshiomhole to order.
Osagie assured Edo people that his government would continue to resist attempts to fracture the state’s peace and safety.
“His ambition to become a godfather in Edo State is not worth the safety of the four million people in our state,” Osagie said.