Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for governor in Edo State, has accused a senior official of the Edo State Government of orchestrating an attack against him.
Akpata claimed that the official planned an attack on him and others during an interactive session organized by the University of Benin Staff Club.
In a viral video released on Saturday, Akpata, who was a guest at the event held at the university last Friday, revealed that the interactive session was disrupted, leading to violence on the school premises.
He also denied allegations that his security aides shot a UNIBEN student.
According to him, “My staff (member) drew my attention to a video that is making the rounds currently of an individual who claimed to have been shot by a security agent. I looked at the video and nothing could be farther than the truth.
“I only wished that the individual could show his face to determine the veracity of his story. I was invited to the University of Benin Senior Staff Club to hold an interactive session with members of the club.
“To our surprise and consternation, this event was interrupted very rudely by some hoodlums who claimed to be students of the University of Benin. They disrupted the event, insisting that it shouldn’t be held without informing them. You can imagine how shocked we were, including the professors there.”
“We know what is going on. It is election season and it is quite obvious some of our old and very tired politicians are up to their usual antics and they have learnt nothing.
“I have it on good authority that those hoodlums were deployed by a senior official of the Edo State Government and I’m speaking directly to this official now. I know you and you know me. The video was done to bring misinformation, I was the one who was attacked alongside the professor,” he added.
However, the Edo State Government denounced the attack on Akpata at the institution.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said, “Claims and counterclaims have been made by Akpata and the Student Union Government of the university in statements issued by both parties on April 13, and an active investigation is ongoing on the issue.
“The Edo State Government, however, warns in the strongest terms that it will not tolerate violence or this sort of irresponsible behaviour which was associated with the visit of Akpata to the institution.”
