An attempt by thugs suspected to be loyal to a failed aspirant in Owan Federal Constituency, Edo State nearly disrupted a rally by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday.
In fact, the hoodlums who were armed with knives, cutlasses, iron rods, sticks and other dangerous weapons had disrupted the rally at Sabongida Ora, headquarters of Owan West local government area but a similar attempt to scatter the rally at Afuze, headquarters of Owan East local government area was foiled by angry youths who retaliated resulting in a free for all.
The state PDP chairman, Dr Dan Orbih, had mounted the podium at Sabongida Ora and was in the middle of his speech, lashing out at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when the heavily armed hoodlums turned loose, threatening fire and brimstone.
With the chairman on the rostrum were the party senatorial candidate for Edo North, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh, the House of Representatives candidate for Owan Federal Constituency, Mr Johnson Abolagba, Prophet Ojo Agge for Owan East constituency and Hilary Ozogo for Owan West constituency who eventually joined them at Afuze.
It was learnt that the source of their anger has to do with the fallout of the recent PDP primary which saw the emergence of Mr Johnson Abolagba, a former member of the House of Representatives against his main challenger, Mr Tanko Ileogbe.
The hearing in the outcome of the primary which is currently the subject of litigation between a dissatisfied Ileogbe who is challenging the candidacy of Abolagba comes up tomorrow, Wednesday, December 12 at the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State.
It took the quick intervention of the police who hurriedly drafted him from the divisional police headquarters at Afuze to save the thugs from the angry mob as they threatened to beat them to pulp for the audacity.
Speaking at Sabongida Ora after normalcy was eventually restored, Orbih accused the APC led federal government of planning to vote with Abach loots instead of attempting to deliver on campaign promises.
He said: “Buhari is taking our money and sharing it to APC members in the name of fighting poverty. Abacha Loot should not be for buying votes. Oshiomhole from Edo North did not do anything to better the lives of Owan people and so do not deserve their vote.”
Undeterred by the bedlam, over 4,000 APC members defected to the opposition to party at Afuze and pledged to work for the victory of the PDP.
Led by the Secretary of APC Elders Forum in Owan East and West local government areas, Mr Raphael Haruna said that he and his supporters could no longer tolerate the maladministration of APC which has greatly impoverished Nigerians in the last three and a half years.
