By Smon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State have urged the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, not to allow what they described as the “desperate political interests of retired politicians” ruin his career following the invasion of the state House of Assembly, on Friday, by over 100 policemen from Abuja.

The Chairman of the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Joseph Ikpea, and a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, described the crisis as one triggered by the PDP lawmakers and urged the Inspector General of Police to withdraw the policemen who invaded the Assembly complex.

The policemen, who came in a commando style, chased away staff and those working on the renovation of the complex. They went into a shouting bout with APC lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, after the police threatened to shoot him. The Edo Commissioner of Police, Funso Adebanjo, and the AIG Zone 5, Benin, Mr Kashimu Argungun, said they were not aware of the presence of policemen at the Assembly complex when contacted.

Reacting during a sensitization tour of wards in the council, Ikpea urged APC members in the council to remain steadfast. “What is happening at the assembly was triggered by PDP lawmakers who don’t believe in the good of the state. For over ten years, the PDP led this state but nothing to show for it and that is why we must continue to reject PDP in our state”, he said.

APC leader in Ward 5, Richard Oyede, insisted that the people of the area would continue to commend the Oshiomhole administration because “he has given us light, water, roads and schools. All the efforts being made to frustrate him by the PDP will fail”.

Reacting also, a former Speaker of the House, Thomas Okosun, said, “What the police are doing at the Assembly is sad, it is unbelievable that the police that are supposed to protect lives and property and ensure peace, they have now become villains themselves against unarmed staff and members of the Edo House of Assembly”.