Drama unfolded on Friday as the Edo State gubernatorial election took an interesting turn when the hotel where the Governor of River State, and PDP National Campaign Council Chairman, Nyesom Wike, was lodging in Benin, Edo State capital, was besieged by over 300 security operatives, thereby heightening the already existing tension in the state.
The Edo State gubernatorial election, which is slated for Saturday, has had a number of dignitaries flocking into Benin for supervision and observation of the election, from national organisations, international organisation, and even political party leaders, wherein Governor Wike falls. The River State governor, who also doubles as the PDP National Campaign Council Chairman for the Edo State Governorship election, was present at the state capital to execute his party duties same as other party representatives of their National Campaign Council were present in Benin likewise.
It was reported on Friday evening that the hotel in which Governor Wike was lodged had been surrounded by 300 security operatives, thereby blockaded him from leaving hotel without reason.
Wike had responded to the act through his Twitter handle.
“Why do these people think they can intimidate me with the police. Laughable!” He tweeted.
The River State PDP Chairman, Ambassador Akawor Desmond, in a statement, condemned the act as a breach of the pledge made, warning that the River State people would hold the Inspector General of Police responsible should anything happen to the River State governor.
“Recall that Governor Wike was appointed Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election; this is the same position Governor Ganduje of Kano State occupies for his party the APC.
“Governor Ganduje and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State are all in Benin, Edo State carrying out their assignment for the APC without any molestation or intimidation.
“And in a breach of the pledge, they made security agencies have decided to harass and intimidate Governor Wike who has not done any wrong.
“Rivers People Warn that we Shall hold the IGP responsible for anything that happens to our Governor,” signed: Ambassador Akawor Desmond, Chairman PDP Rivers State.
However, the drama is nothing new to Nigerians as gubernatorial elections in the previous years have shown a similar turn-out of events either with members of the opposition party denied entrance into a state during its gubernatorial elections or barricaded from leaving their hotels of residence to monitor the ongoing election or its preparation.
On the 19th of June, 2014, in the already charged atmosphere ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election of Ekiti State, three state governors from the All Progressive Congress (APC) were barred from visiting the state by the military.
The governors include the former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomole, now APC leader; former River State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, now Transportation Minister and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. All three governors were separately stopped and prevented by the military from reaching Ado-Ekiti.
Also, in Nov. 16, 2013, during the Anambra Governorship Election, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current governor of Kano State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, was on Saturday prevented from moving out of his hotel room in Awka to monitor the election currently ongoing.
According to el-Rufai at the ‘Finotel Hotel’ where he lodged, some armed men of the State Security Service (SSS) restrained him from moving out of the hotel to monitor the election.
