. Eminent Businessman, Others Lead Fresh Peace Moves
By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, Data and Poll Tracking Desk)
The political tension in Edo State soared once again following a written petition by the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, canvassing the immediate arrest and prosecution of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly escalating political violence in the State.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shuaibu, who made this known to journalists in Abuja , on Monday, said a copy of the petition would also be sent to the Director-General of DSS, Department of State Security Services.
Shuaibu who accused the APC’s national chairman of instigating political violence in Edo state by consistently working against the state government’s order banning political rallies in the state insisted that Oshiomhole is not above the law and Edo State government has the duty to call him to order.
But sources hinted The New Diplomat at the weekend that a top Nigerian international businessman who would not want his name mentioned has stepped up fresh initiatives to reconcile both Governor Obaseki and Comrade Oshiomhole. It was also gathered that some member of the Governors Forum are also making frantic efforts to settle the raging dispute. Said an insider: “ Originally, Alhaji (businessman)said he won’t intervene again after he tried the first time. But seeing that the crisis has escalated and he was one of those who is really very close to both of them , he has stepped in again. He is doing something to try and resolve their differences.”
It would be recalled that political concerns have continued to surge in Edo State following the rancorous war of words between Governor Obaseki, and the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Oshiomhole. The crisis once again deepened endlessly as both political figures exchanged fiery words and opened fresh cans of worms.
The blistering war of words and raging altercation have heightened serious apprehension amongst mutual friends of both Obaseki and Oshiomhole, who had expected some cessation of hostilities, while working to enlist the intervention of pragmatic diplomats, neutral political icons, religious doyen, and development pundits to help put off the ballooning political crisis.
Read also; Edo 2020: As Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, Others Go for Broke!
Notwithstanding this acrimonious differences between Governor Obaseki and Comrade Oshiomhole, some mutual friends who spoke with The New Diplomat at the weekend said they are working very hard to resolve the crisis, stressing that the issues central to the bitter altercations would be amicably resolved.
