TELL Magazine

The Edo State Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the upcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, has described as “senseless”, the act of violence that took place at the University of Benin Staff Club Friday, April 12, when he was hosted by members of the club to an interactive session.

Akpata had in a video broadcast after the incident, debunked the allegation that his security personnel shot a student of the institution, insisting that nothing like that happened. He accused a top government official of sponsoring the attack on him.

Speaking on Saturday after his hospital visit to Dr Presley Osemwegie, one of the lecturers who sustained severe injuries in the fracas that ensued when the executives of the Students Union Government, SUG of the university stormed the venue to query why the event should hold without their knowledge, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA said while investigation into the incident was ongoing, he remained committed to cooperating fully and supporting efforts towards a just and equitable resolution.

While stating that the experience was a stark reminder that one must “work tirelessly to promote peace, respect, and understanding”, he said the unfortunate incident had only strengthened his resolve to advocate for resolving differences through “constructive dialogue” instead of violence.

According to him, “I made it a priority to visit Dr Presley Osemwegie, the UNIBEN lecturer, who was injured in a senseless act of violence at the UNIBEN Staff Club. Hearing his firsthand account of the gory details was both heartbreaking and eye-opening. As I interacted with Dr Osemwegie and his family, offering prayers for his recovery, I was reminded of the profound impact such incidents have on individuals and their loved ones.

“It is a stark reminder that we must work tirelessly to promote peace, respect, and understanding. While the investigation continues, I remain committed to cooperating fully, and supporting efforts towards a just and equitable resolution. This unfortunate incident has only strengthened my resolve to advocate for peaceful discourse and open communication where differences are resolved through constructive dialogue, not violence”.