Political Thugs Beat Up Oshiomhole, Edo Lawmakers-Elect In Benin

A report by Nigerian Tribune indicates that 15 Iawmakers-elect, including Mr. Seidu Oshiomhole representing Etsako West 11 in the Edo state House of Assembly, were attacked by some suspected hoodlum.

Seidu is the younger brother of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

The Edo state House of Assembly have been in crisis in recent times following the reported factionalisation of the APC in Edo state.

Some of the lawmakers who were said to have sustained serious injuries were rushed to the hospital for treatment where they are still recuperating.

According to the report, the 15 lawmakers attacked are loyal to the APC national chairman, and they were reportedly not invited to the inauguration of the state assembly on Monday, June 17, where nine members reportedly elected Honourable Frank Okiye as Speaker.

During the violent assault, the elected legislators who vowed to resist the emergence of Okiye, a loyalist of Governor Godwin Obaseki, were severely beaten up by the thugs.

An aide to one of the lawmakers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the lawmakers-elect were having a meeting in a hotel in the state capital, Benin when the incident occurred.

After his election, Okiye had thanked the few lawmakers present at the inauguration for the confidence reposed in him and promised to work for the people of Edo state.

He also urged all lawmakers who have not satisfied the process of swearing-in, including completion of the asset declaration form.