Police invite Edo Labour Party, guber candidate, Akpata over attack at UNIBEN

The candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, Olumide Akpata has been invited by the State Police Command over alleged security breaches, involving shootings at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, last Friday.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City,

Nwabuzor said the invitation was served on the LP gubernatorial candidate by investigators in the Political Desk Session of the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Olumide Akpata was allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs during an investiture ceremony at the invitation of the UNIBEN Staff Club.

The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, however, alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state as well as the State Government to assassinate him.

The command’s image maker further explained that the invitation of Olumide Akpata was part of the investigation initiated into the crisis by the police Command.

When contacted, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, who confirmed the receipt of the police invitation, said he was not in Benin when the letter was delivered but assured that he would honour the invitation.

According to him, Olumide Akpata is our candidate but UNIBEN invited him to honour him on a personal note. I didn’t sign a surety of his safety there. I don’t know why the police are equally inviting me to come along with Olumide Akpata.

“The police ought to have done their background investigations, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party secretariat. So, I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to the Police Command Headquarters in Benin, however, I will honour the invitation”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government and the authorities of the University of Benin had in separate statements condemned the attack on the Labour Party Governorship candidate.

A statement by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare while condemning the clash, said an investigation is ongoing on the issue.

Nehikhare, also warned that the state government would not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour which was associated with the visit of Mr. Akpata to the institution.

“The Edo State Government condemns in the strongest terms the violence associated with the Labour Party candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata’s visit to the University of Benin on Friday, April 12, 2024.

“Claims and counterclaims have been made by Mr Akpata and the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University in statements issued by both parties on April 13, and an active investigation is ongoing on the issue.

“The Edo State Government, however, warns in the strongest terms that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour which was associated with the visit of Mr Akpata to the institution.

“Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property in the State and will spare no effort to ensure that anyone who breaches the peace, no matter how highly placed, will face the full weight of the law.

“We hereby call on all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without and allow relevant agencies progress with their investigation into the said matter”, he stated.

On its part, the management of the university described the incident as unacceptable.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, said the management has set up a Committee to investigate.

Ehanire said the committee, headed by Professor Frederick Ekhaise, has one week to submit a report to management.

“The Management of the University of Benin has condemned in strong terms reported violence during the visit of the Edo State Labour Party‘s gubernatorial candidate, Mr Olumide Akpata, on invitation by the Senior Staff Club of the Institution.

“The violent incident, allegedly perpetrated by some students, is unacceptable. Consequently, Management has set up a Committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violent action”, she added.