THUGS ATTACK OBASEKI’S CONVOY AT OSHIOMHOLE’S RESIDENCE ● Police Avert Clash of Rival Supporters

People believed to be thugs yesterday attacked Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s convoy with stones at the country home of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Iyamho area of the state when he tried to pay

Oshiomhole homage.

This generated serious tension in the area, as the police had to use teargas to avert a clash between supporters of the governor and the APC chairman.

It was gathered that after a convocation ceremony at the state university, Governor Obaseki, who was accompanied by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and some dignitaries, went to Oshiomole’s house to pay him homage when the hoodlums prevented them from entering and started throwing stones at them.

It was also gathered the windscreen of two vehicles in the governor’s convoy were smashed and they had to retreat without seeing the chairman. Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that no one was injured.

The governor who spoke with journalists at the Edo State University shortly after the attack, described the incident as unfortunate.

“It is really unfortunate that we can’t feel safe at the house of our national chairman. I am not sure that if I went to the house of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, they will attack me the way they did in the house of our chairman,” he said.

“It is really unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent but we will continue to pursue peace and cannot afford to lose the gains of the past three years,” he added.

It was further gathered that Adams Oshiomole, who was inside his room when the incident took place, later heard of it but before he came out the governor and his entourage had gone. A source noted that Oshiomole was furious when he heard of the incident.

Before the convocation, supporters of Obaseki and those of Oshiomole stormed the institution, chanting solidarity songs for the two. It was observed that while Obaseki’s supporters were chanting “four plus four”,

Oshiomole’s supporters were chanting “three plus one, no more four.” Security agents later dispersed the groups with teargas to avert a possible clash.

Efforts to speak with the police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwanbuzor, were futile, even as calls put to him were not answered.