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The Edo State Government has rejected the call by the State’s leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the Federal Government put Governor Godwin Obaseki on a security watch list, ahead of the proposed August 1, 2024, nationwide protest by some youths over the economic hardship in the country.

According to report the State Chairman of the APC, Jarret Tenebe, said the call to put the governor on a security watch list became necessary following his alleged threat to burn down the country if the Federal Government failed to arrest APC members who allegedly carried out an attack at the Benin Airport.

Tenebe made the call in a statement titled, “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Alerts Federal Government to Put Governor Obaseki on Security Watch”. He said the call was to alert the security agencies that facts have emerged of an engagement between Obaseki and an alleged section of the Civil Society Group drawn from Edo State and cultists from neighbouring states, with the sole aim to recruit them for any protest that may be in the offing.

The APC chairman alleged that the aim of the governor’s plan was to create anarchy in Edo State, and the five other South-South States and blame the APC for the destruction that would follow the protest.

According to him, it is embarrassing and worrisome that the Edo State House of Assembly has turned a blind eye to the danger Obaseki has become, as the Speaker and members have refused to condemn the serious security breach the governor has committed. “The prevailing circumstance is worrisome and demands urgent action that will frustrate the plan Obaseki has made with Edo State Security Network (ESSN), PUWOV and thugs from the five other South-South States of Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa”, he said. He, however, called on the National Security Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to carry out an urgent and comprehensive investigation of the recent meetings that were allegedly held by Governor Obaseki within and outside Edo State.

Tenebe also wants the National Security Adviser to withdraw or change the governor’s security details as the day for the planned protest draws nearer. He also wants the governor’s movement to be restricted before the planned protest, especially on the protest day. He further demanded the resignation of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye for allegedly being partisan in the Benin Airport attack incident that led to the killing of a Police Inspector attached to the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. “Finally, worried by the open partisan role the state Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye has played in recent times, we request that he should emulate his counterpart, Kimberly Cheatle the United States of America Secret Service Chief, who has resigned for failing to prevent Donald Trump’s assassination attempt.

“In the event he fails to take this honourable path, Mr Adegboye should be transferred out of Edo State, because his action is capable of bringing the force to disrepute.

“The consequences of ignoring this timely call is capable of leading to subsequent breakdown of law and order in Edo State and Nigeria’, he added. Reacting, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare at a press briefing in Benin City, described the call as unfortunate and disgusting.

“It is rather surprising that the APC is calling on the Presidency to put Governor Obaseki on the watch list when there are obvious pictures and videos of APC members wielding sophisticated weapons in the presence of policemen, breaching public peace and unleashing mayhem on the people of the State, and are still walking free. “Their names are not on any watch list and they have not been arrested and prosecuted. What an irony”, he stated.