The Labour party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has been summoned by the state police command over the attack, which involved shootings at the University of Benin last Friday.

On Thursday in Benin City, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor,  stated that the invitation was served on Akpata by investigators in the political desk session of the state Criminal Investigation Department on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The governorship candidate was allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs during an investiture ceremony at the invitation of the UNIBEN Staff Club

Meanwhile, he professed that the attack was to eliminate him and that it was organized by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the state government.

However, Kelly Ogbaloi the state chairman of the Labour Party, confirmed the receipt of the police invitation,  as he described the incident as Akpata’s private affair that had nothing to do with the party.

He said, “Olumide Akpata is our candidate, but UNIBEN invited him to honour him on a personal note. I didn’t sign surety of his safety there. I don’t know why the police are equally inviting me to come along with Olumide Akpata.

“The police ought to have done their background checks, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party secretariat, so I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to police command headquarters in Benin. However, I will honour the invitation.”