Emmanuel OchayiThe upcoming Edo election has taken a dangerous turn with the foiled assassination attempt on Henry Okojie, a federal lawmaker, representing the Esan North-East/Esan South-East constituency.
Okojie, Mercy Johnson’s husband, narrowly escaped an attack by armed men suspected to be political thugs, raising concerns about the level of violence surrounding the Edo election.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement from Michael Ihaza, Okojie’s media aide, “Honourable Okojie was attacked at his residence by gunmen disguised as police officers. The attackers arrived in a Lexus GX 470 with a Rivers State license plate and pretended to have an appointment with him.”
Security Forces Foil Assassination Attempt
The quick intervention of security personnel attached to Okojie helped foil the assassination attempt. “The armed thugs managed to enter the house, but their plans were quickly derailed when security intervened,” Ihaza explained. “Two of the assailants fled the scene, but the driver and another suspect were captured and are currently being questioned by the police.”
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The Edo election has been marred by rising tensions, and this incident is the latest in a string of violent acts leading up to the polls. The captured suspects have reportedly made confessions implicating local political figures.
Suspects Linked to Political Leaders
The suspects, currently in police custody, have claimed they were sent by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Esan North-East Local Government Area. “The suspects confessed that they were hired by PDP leaders,” Ihaza revealed in the statement.
Efforts to get comments from the Edo State Police Command have so far been unsuccessful, but the police are expected to issue a statement soon. Many believe that this incident could escalate tensions in the already volatile political environment as the Edo election approaches.
Rising Political Violence in Edo Election
The attempted assassination has brought to the forefront the issue of political violence in the Edo election. With political thugs allegedly targeting candidates and party members, many are questioning the safety of the electoral process.
“This is not just an attack on me as a person; it’s an attack on democracy,” Okojie said in a brief statement after the incident. ”The Edo election should be about policies and progress, not violence.”
Call for Calm and Fairness in Edo Election
Political observers are calling on the authorities to ensure the safety of candidates and voters as the Edo election draws near. “This kind of violence cannot be allowed to continue,” said a concerned resident of Esan. “The security forces must be prepared to stop any further incidents.”
With the assassination attempt making headlines, it is expected that security will be heightened across Edo State. Many are hoping that the election will be conducted peacefully, with fairness and transparency at the forefront.
The assassination attempt on Okojie underscores the challenges facing the Edo election, as political factions clash over power. Whether this incident will lead to a further escalation in violence remains to be seen, but the need for peaceful and transparent elections is more urgent than ever.
As the Edo election approaches, the attack on Okojie serves as a grim reminder of the dangers surrounding political office in Nigeria.
With political thugs allegedly being used to intimidate candidates, the public is watching closely to see how the authorities respond to the situation.
The stakes are high, and the hope for a peaceful Edo election now rests on the ability of security forces to prevent further violence.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
