The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has accused a senior government official of masterminding the attack on him during an interactive session at the University of Benin.
According to reports, Akpata was violently interrupted during the event organised by the University of Benin Staff Club on Friday afternoon.
News About Nigeria reports that the disruption led to a crisis within the school premises.
In a viral video released on Saturday, Akpata accused a senior government official of the Edo State government of masterminding the attack.
He refuted allegations that his security personnel shot a student during the incident, claiming that nothing of the nature occurred.
Akpata stated, “I want to place it on record that at no time was a student of the University of Benin shot. The video was done to bring misinformation, I was the one who was attacked alongside the professor.”
Meanwhile, the Students Union Government of UNIBEN released a statement titled “Update on Security Threats and Institutional Disregard,” expressing displeasure over the incident
The statement maintained that the union was not informed about the interactive session involving the Labour Party candidate and criticised the use of students for campaign purposes.
The statement also mentioned that the President of UNIBEN Staff Club is being questioned by the appropriate authority regarding the incident.
The management of the University of Benin has condemned the reported violence and announced the formation of a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violent action.
The committee, chaired by Prof Frederick Ekhaise, has been given one week to submit a report to the university management.
In a statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, the management reiterated its commitment to maintaining a peaceful and conducive academic environment for all stakeholders.
