Despite the ban on political rallies by the government of Edo state, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 election, held a defection rally at his Benin residence on Friday.
Edo statement government had earlier placed ban on all political rallies, processions and demonstration, citing security reasons.
In a statement, Osarodion Ogie, secretary to the state government, said security agencies had been directed to deal with anyone who breached the directive.
But Ize-Iyamu hosted a mammoth crowd at his residence on Friday. He also announced that he had joined the ruling party.
“For those who are in doubt, the moment I made up my mind to join the APC, I went to my ward and I am proud to say I have registered in Ugboko ward in Orhionmwon local government area,” he told the cheering crowd.
“By the grace of God, APC will grow from strength to strength. We want to extend hand of peace. We are not here (APC) to fight anyone. We have come to be your friends. If we are their enemies, we want to extend the hand of peace, we are not your enemy, we have not come to fight anybody. Even if you slap us, we will turn the other cheek.
“We have not come to fight ..we have come to be your brothers; we have come to be your friends. And we beg you in the name of God to let peace reign. If there is peace in Edo, there will be development. If there is development, the government will do well and if the government does well, APC will do well.”
But speaking with reporters at his residence in Benin city on Friday, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said he gathered that the police wanted to put him in trouble.
“I saw that story planted by government House in Edo that I was placed under house arrest. That is not true I decided not to go to venue because the police in Edo and the IG want to set me up and create a situation where they will kill people then they will attribute it to me. I stayed away from the rally to avoid any form of bloodshed,” Oshiomhole said.
“The leadership quality of a man is tested under excessive provocation. If it was my old self, I will not only go there but I will make speech that by now the battle line is drawn. As National Chairman, I had to pay the price by abstaining from going there so that I deny the IG and Edo Police Command to go and kill people and blame it on me.
“I am embarrassed that the IGP will write me a letter informing me on the strength of my application which I informed him of our intention to do a rally. We informed police not for licence so that they can earn their salary. It is not for them to grant permission.
“I thought as National Chairman, I should be formal. I delivered the letter myself so that it can be more personal.
“He conveyed to me that he has directed the police to provide full security so that the exercise can have full security. The IG knows the political value of Pastor Ize-Iyamhu joining us. What I am not able to understand is how the same IG could be alleged to send a letter to Philip Shaibu that the rally will not hold.”
Oshiomhole, however, said he was glad that the rally held peacefully and that the APC was poised to win future elections in the state.
“I am from here and I have worked with Pastor for which I am proud. It is a shame on Edo Police Command that people in broad day light thought they can intimidated me from arriving Benin. The police supervised and superintendent over this violence even as the IG has given me a letter. As at that time no other letter has been issued,” he said.
“For police to claim they are unable to secure the Airport road, as reporters, I ask you to explain what Edo people went through yesterday. Benin was locked down just to oblige the Ddeputy governor or the government of Edo State.” (The Cable)
