By Abiola Olawale
Some suspected hoodlums reportedly stormed a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Edo State.
It was gathered that the meeting was held to install a former federal lawmaker, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, as the ‘Apex Leader’ of the APC in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government in Edo State.
However, the meeting was allegedly disrupted by some suspected thugs who attacked those who attended and injured some APC leaders and members.
Some of them are reportedly on the danger list in hospitals in Benin while many expensive vehicles were reportedly vandalized and other valuables carted away by the hoodlums.
Agbonayinma, speaking with reporters in Benin over the sad incident, said: “The attackers vandalized vehicles, broke chairs and tables. They also carted away drinks and a generator that was brought to power the equipment for the meeting, and they destroyed the hired musical equipment.
“This is not how politics should be played. Going violent and beating up elderly persons are condemnable. My teeming supporters and I cannot be intimidated. We are marching forward, and, God willing, victory is sure for Edo APC and its governorship candidate.
“For some time, APC’s leaders and members in Ikpoba-Okha LGA have been pleading with me to come and take the leadership position, especially to be the apex leader of APC in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, but I told them that I was not interested because of what I have gone through. I lost my grown-up son and I am still going through a lot, because of the trauma.”
Many security operatives, particularly personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) and policemen from Edo command, were later deployed to the venue before normalcy was restored. The stakeholders proceeded with the meeting after that.
Agbonaiyinma declared that the hoodlums who invaded the venue of the meeting would pay dearly for all the valuable items they destroyed.
