The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has reacted to viral video where Governor Godwin Obaseki was heard to have threatened that should the last week Benin City Airport attack happened again “Nigeria will burn”.
Obaseki, in the 20-second-long abridged video while addressing leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “I won’t say much, the rest is up to you. We just kept quiet last Thursday, if they try what happened last Thursday again in Edo, Nigeria will burn.”
But, reacting to the viral video, the acting State chairman of APC, Emperor Jerret Tenebe, in a statement, condemned the governor’s statement, describing his action as “Unbridled Threat To Burn Down Nigeria” and urged the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The statement read, “In the last 24 hours, Nigerians from all walks of life have been treated to a melodrama wherein the Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki gloated like a villain in a video, threatening to burn down Nigeria, if the murderers of Inspectors Akor Onuh at the Benin City Airport are arrested by the Police.
“To say the least, Obaseki’s latest violent threat to Nigeria and Nigerians is a descent into madness that must quickly be tamed to avoid anarchy and breakdown of law and order in Edo State and Nigeria.
“The sign of his cognitive impairment has been a source of concern not just for Edo people, but also to the governor himself, so much so because, he readies his thugs – the dangerous Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and Public Work Volunteers (POWOV) to Kill, maim and wound anyone that holds contrary views of his divisive administration.
“The avoidable tragic incident of last Thursday July 18, 2024 is a vivid example of how far the state sponsored extra judicial killings have been going on, but covered by the state government with deceptive reports of inter-cult fights in the state. It was time this madness stops. It is time to stop Mr. Obaseki before he carries out his threat.
“Edo people can no longer watch Governor Obaseki’s incessant violent politics that has heightened insecurity in the state.
“We are therefore calling on the State House of Assembly to immediately condemn Obaseki’s reckless and dangerous threat to burn down Nigeria
“Additionally, to forestall and end his unprecedented heinous plans, we are urging the speaker and members of Edo State House of Assembly to immediately start his impeachment process that has become overdue.
“A stitch in time saves nine. Prevention they say, is the best cure and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”