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Edo Govt, Shaibu in verbal war over killing of police officer, invasion of Benin Airport

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As reactions continue to trail the last Thursday’s violence at the Benin Airport which resulted in the death of a Police Inspector, the Edo State Government and the reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, are at each other’s throat over who masterminded the crisis.

Gatekeeper reports that while the State Government in its petition to the Inspector-General of Police accused Philip Shaibu of orchestrating the crisis along with some APC chieftains, Shaibu, however, accused the state government’s security agencies of killing the Police officer.

Gatekeeper recalls that on Thursday, July 18, 2024 suspected sponsored armed political thugs invaded the vicinity of the Benin Airport at the time Shaibu and the governorship candidate of APC, Senator Monday Okpebholo, arrived from Abuja.

The invasion led to the killing of a Police Inspector, Akor Onuh, of MOPOL 45 Abuja, an orderly attached to the APC governorship candidate, while several other persons sustained various degrees of injury.

The Edo State Government’s petition signed by the State Solicitor General, Prof Faith Osadolor on behalf of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident by inviting Shaibu and his supporters.

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He said if the accused are found culpable, they should be brought to book.

The petition was titled, ‘Request to Investigate a Case of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder, Malicious Damage to Property, Breach of Public Peace and Assault Occasioning Harm by Former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu and his Cohorts’.

Reacting to the development, Shaibu described the petition as a mere statement that is devoid of legal substances.

Shaibu spoke at a ‘Special Thanksgiving service in appreciation of God’s protection, provision and grace’ over him and his household, on Sunday.

The reinstated deputy governor, who said he would not like to join issues with the State Government, accused the Edo State Security Network, ESSN, and the State Public Works Volunteers, PUWOV, of being responsible for the invasion of the airport, killing the Police officer and shooting of several other persons.

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He opined that the State Government was struggling with words to exonerate itself of the crime.

Shaibu said, “I don’t want to join issues with useless statements. You can see that they are struggling hard to prove that they have no hands in what has happened.

“But they know what they have done and are trying to cover it up, but this one they cannot cover it. Particularly when they have killed a police officer. All of them must be picked, they orchestrated it, and the men of the vigilante and PUWOV did that, they killed a policeman and IG must invite them.

“They orchestrated it, the men of Vigilant, and PUWOV did that. The vigilante in Edo state killed the policeman and injured people.

“The IGP will definitely go into it. Don’t worry yourself about their useless petition. They are struggling to see how they can rope people in. They cannot rope anybody in. The vigilante killed a policeman.”

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Shaibu called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police to set up panel of inquiry not just to investigate the incident, but to also proscribe vigilantes and the PUWOV.

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Politics

Damagun denies resignation rumors, calls it fake news

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The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagun, has dismissed reports of his resignation, labeling them as false and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

In a statement on Saturday, his Personal Assistant, Nuru Shehu Jos, clarified that Damagun remains in office, and the party’s constitution guarantees the National Chairman a four-year term.

The PDP also denied claims that Arise News was the source of the false resignation report, urging the public to ignore the misinformation.

The party warned those spreading the rumors to desist or face legal action, calling on members and stakeholders to remain united as the PDP strengthens its position ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Probing IBB over my father’s death unnecessary— Abiola’s son

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Jamiu Abiola, the son of the late winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, has stated that probing former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, over the death of his father is unnecessary.

In an interview with Punch, Jamiu explained that the time for such investigations had passed away, stating that many key figures involved in the June 12 tragedy are no longer alive.

“There is no need for prosecution or probe. So many years have passed and most of the good and bad actors in the June 12 tragedy have passed away,” Jamiu said.

He added that the ideal time for a probe would have been during the second term of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when Nigeria’s democracy was more stable and many individuals involved were still alive and could provide accurate accounts of events.

Jamiu further stated that for those interested in knowing more, his book, ‘The President Who Never Ruled,’ offers insights into the annulment and the surrounding events.

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“It (the book) will let you know exactly what happened during the annulment and why it happened,” he said.

However, he cautioned readers to approach it with the goal of understanding the truth, not seeking revenge.

Jamiu said the best way to compensate the Abiola family would be for Nigerians to embrace the values of unity and national cohesion that were exemplified on June 12, 1993.

“The best way to compensate our family is for the Abiola family to see all Nigerians adopting the attitude they adopted on the day of June 12, 1993, which in a nutshell is to reject tribalism and religious differences when electing leaders and to see themselves as members of the same family regardless of their states of origin,” he explained.

He further noted that Nigerians should focus on transforming the country from a divided nation to a unified one.

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“By so doing they will be heeding the call of President Bola Tinubu to shun ethnicity and transforming Nigeria from a country to a nation.

“I will not ask for more than that because to do so would bring down the high standing of Moshood and Kudirat Abiola following their unique sacrifice. They gave up their lives and will be rewarded with more than 500 million years in a place better than any castle in this world,” he added.

While acknowledging that any worldly honours bestowed upon his late parents would be appreciated, Jamiu firmly believes that such recognition pales in comparison to the eternal reward his parents are enjoying.

“Any worldly honour given to them is definitely welcome, but believe it or not, it will be only a drop in the ocean compared to what they are enjoying right now and will continue enjoying while every single one of those who cheated and killed them burn in hell forever and ever by the special grace of God,” he stated.

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Rivers crisis: Why I won’t make peace with Fubara – Wike

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has revealed one of the reasons he can’t make peace with Governor Similayi Fubara of Rivers State.

Wike accused Fubara of removing a chief in his family and went ahead to make another person a chief.

The FCT Minister stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists at a media parley in Abuja.

According to reports, the statement comes amid the ongoing political crisis in the State, with Wike and Governor Similayi Fubara at the center of the feud.

“Sometimes when you people talk about this peace, you don’t take everything. You don’t just sit outside to talk.

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“Look at me, a former governor, Minister of of the FCT, Governor (Fubara) had the temerity, the audacity, because he has money from federation account, because he has more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), will enter my own family to remove a chief and make another person a chief,” Wike said.

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