On Monday, the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole met with President MuhammaduBuhari, in the thick of the campaign ahead of the governorship election in September 19 in Edo state.
Prior to the meeting, political watchers have expressed worries that the tempo of the election is tensed with utterances of the major gladiators in the contest, the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, and Adams Oshiomhole, his estranged godfather.
Obaseki during a recent meeting with student bodies in the state had threatened violence against anyone who threatens his supporters. “Nobody has a monopoly of violence; if they want violence we will show them violence. If I see anybody smashing any car because my stickers or posters are there, let me know.”
In reaction, Oshiomhole berated the Governor for his unguarded comment which he said was short of what is expected of a true leader. However, Obaseki’s comment comes in the heels of the violent clash between supporters of the APC and the PDP at the Palace of the Oba of Benin that left scores wounded.
Watchers are worried that the election may tilt towards violence with the lives of Edo residents and indigenes at stake. To this end the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Monday ordered the Commissioners of Police in Edo and Ondo states and other states across the country, including the FCT to mop up proliferated weapons in the state in order to reduce weapons in the hands of people during the elections.
Oshiomhole, on Monday, also met with the President, MuhammaduBuhari, over the election in Edo state. The former labour leader during the meeting requested for the reinforcement of the security operatives to the state in order to forestall violence before and during the election.
Many saw his meeting with the President as a political boost for the APC ahead of the election. They are of the opinion that with Oshiomhole in the vanguard of securing the state for the party, his meeting with the President would boost the morale of party supporters in the state that the state chapter of the party has the support of the President.
