Palpable tension has enveloped the sleeping Ijaw ccommunity of Nikorogha in Ovia West Local Government Area of Edo State as security men have laid siege in the community ahead of Saturday’s supplementary House of Assembly election in the area.
While the security agency is not known to the residents, they however noted that the presence of the hooded gunmen have created anxiety amongst the inhabitants.
Residents of the community led by the Youth Chairman, Pereke Okulo said the apprehension that they security agency are up for sinister motive ahead of the election.
He noted that more worrisome is the fact that some of the security personnel’s armed with an Amoured Personnel Carrier (APC), took position around the house of a prominent son of the community, Mr Robert Okubo who is in opposition political party with Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo state.
The Community Chairman, Hon. Timi Robert revealed that the presence of the policemen may not be unconnected with the Saturday’s supplementary election.
“The security operatives are in Okubo’s residence on the orders of Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki because he (Okubo) is an APC leader and he and his supporters will not go the way of the Governor’s candidate who is a member of his party (Peoples’ Democratic Party),” he stated.
He described the presence of the security personnel as surprise since the peaceful community were not aware of any security crisis in the area.
He however attributed the siege to politics and a means to keep him (Okubo) out of circulation on Saturday.
He said “I just noticed the influx of police trucks into our community, as I speak they have surrounded Robert Okubo’s house. Why is the Governor scared of a free and fair election.
“Why the siege in his house? What does Governor Godwin Obaseki want from him? Is it by force to support his candidate?
“Let it be known that if anything happens to Robert Okubo, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state commissioner of police, Adamu Dankwara should be held responsible.
“Marine Police Also went there with 3 gunboats, surrounded his house and hotel
“We are aware of the sinister move of Governor Godwin Obaseki to bring in bulldozer to destroy Okubo’s large farm and the plans to demolish his house in Benin. All these because of election
“Governor Obaseki should know that he is not God and we are not scared of him. He will soon leave office as Governor but Edo and Nikorogha will remain, what does he want to be remembered for?”
See Video;
Armed Security men storm Nikorogha community, Ovia south west allegedly on the Orders of @GovernorObaseki , ahead of Saturday’s supplementary election @inecnigeria @PoliceNG pic.twitter.com/UGzgyzVU4A
— infopowerng.com (@infopowerng) April 12, 2023