The Edo State Government has condemned the attack on the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, at the University of Benin by students of the institution on Friday.
In a statement on Saturday, state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said, “The Edo State Government condemns in the strongest terms the violence associated with the Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata’s visit to the University of Benin on Friday, April 12, 2024.
“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.
“Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the security of lives and property in the state and will spare no effort to ensure that anyone who breaches the peace, no matter how highly placed, will face the full weight of the law.
“We hereby call on all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without let as relevant agencies progress with their investigation into the said matter.”
Earlier, Akpata, on Saturday accused a senior government official of the state government of masterminding the attack on Friday afternoon at the University of Benin.
The LP governorship candidate, who was a guest at an interactive session organised by the University of Benin Staff Club, was violently interrupted during the event, which caused a crisis within the school premises.
