Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024, has been summoned by the State Police Command regarding alleged security breaches stemming from a shooting incident at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) last Friday.
The State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, informed the press in Benin City about the development.
Nwabuzor mentioned that investigators from the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Political Desk Session served the LP gubernatorial candidate with the invitation on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
As reported, Olumide Akpata faced an attack by suspected political thugs during an investiture ceremony at the UNIBEN Staff Club’s invitation.
Despite the incident, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate alleged that the attack was a plot orchestrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the State Government to eliminate him.
The police spokesperson clarified that Akpata’s invitation was part of the ongoing investigation into the crisis by the police Command.
Kelly Ogbaloi, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, confirmed receiving the police invitation. Ogbaloi, who was not present in Benin during the delivery of the letter, pledged to comply with the summons.
He expressed confusion over being asked to accompany Akpata to the Police Command Headquarters in Benin, stating that the university’s invitation to honor Akpata was a personal one and not affiliated with the party secretariat.
Furthermore, both the Edo State Government and the University of Benin authorities issued separate condemnations of the attack on the Labour Party’s governorship candidate.
In a statement, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, while denouncing the clash, assured of an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Nehikhare emphasized the government’s stance against violence and irresponsible behavior witnessed during Akpata’s visit to the institution.
Similarly, the university’s management termed the incident as unacceptable and announced the formation of a committee, led by Professor Frederick Ekhaise, to investigate the incident within a week.