Numbers of persons including a mobile police officer attached to the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebolo were killed in Benin city on Thursday  when gunmen suspected to be political thugs exchanged fire with security operatives at the Benin Airport.

The crisis has led to accusing fingers among political parties in the state and government functionaries, with the Edo State Government blaming and accusing the impeached Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu who arrived the state on Thursday after Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled and declared his impeachment from office as illegal and politically motivated; hence, ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide him security to take back his office.

Chief Francis Inegbeniki in a video recording few minutes ago, said his accusation over the crisis in Benin City is a  a plot to tarnish his image as he is not even in Benin, and in the video, he showed his current location at Opoji in Edo central senatorial area of the state.

The chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo Central Senatorial District, Chief Francis Inegbeniki refuted the allegation that he sponsored thugs who allegedly attacked the motorcade of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate on Thursday in Benin City.

Inegbeniki said his attention was drawn to the accusation he described as false and misleading allegations against him being circulated on social media.

“It is not true that I led or sponsored thugs who attack the convoy of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate in Benin City. As I speak, I am in my village, I was never on Airport road when or as at the time the said incident took place”.

Adding; “It is very wrong for anyone or for any reason to accuse me of leading thugs on that attack. I urge the government, security agencies and the general public to disregard the falsehood”

The politician said he is a peaceful and law abiding Nigerian and at his age being an elder statesman will never commit such act

“The election is around the corner, and I quite understand that my enemies would do anything desperately to blackmail me or tarnish my reputation.

“The statement issued by media aide to Senator Monday Okpebolo, linking me to the incident is an attempt to malign my integrity and also mislead the general public”, the PDP Chieftain said.

We have earlier reported that the Edo State Government has said it will take actionable measures against the impeached Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu who was on Wednesday reinstated back to office by Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, after the court ruled and declared his impeachment by the State House of Assembly as illegal and politically motivated.

There was crisis in Benin city on Thursday after Philip Shaibu arrived the city from Abuja.

Videos posted online showed Philip Shaibu was received at the Benin Airport with crowd of supporters and sympathizers from other political parties.

Philip Shaibu in one of the videos and photographs was seen standing outside a vehicle with the front of the vehicle having Deputy Governor symbol of authority which also stand as vehicle plate number of the person occupying the office of the State Deputy Governor.

Edo state government under the leadership of Godwin Obaseki in a statement signed and made available by the state Commissioner of Information, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said Philip Shaibu is known for violence and blamed the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Benin City on Thursday on the politician.

The statement reads in quote thus: “the Edo State Government has observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs and elements working in connivance with former Deputy Governor of the State, Philip Shaibu in the guise of purportedly enforcing a judgement reinstating him in office.

Shaibu led thugs through Airport Road axis of Benin City, attacking innocent citizens and unleashing mayhem on private citizens who are going about their lawful businesses.

The State Government through this statement is warning Shaibu to desist from this turn to violence in the pretense that he is enforcing a judgement.

He is reminded that he is not above the law and is liable for the wanton destruction perpetrated by him and his co-travellers.

Shaibu’s violent tendencies is well document and he has been warned at different times by respected figures of society, including the revered Benin Monarch to shun violence.

We want to reiterate that Shaibu will face the consequences of violence that he has resorted to in pursuit of his aim to return to the Edo State Government House even when he is aware that a stay of execution of the judgement has been filed.

We enjoin the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government will continue to deploy the instrumentality of the state to restore and maintain law and order in the State in the face of undue provocation”.