In a surprising development, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, a Supernumerary Chief Superintendent of Police and South South Zonal Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has tendered an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police.
The apology followed Agbomhere’s appearance at a press briefing while in police uniform, which reportedly caused embarrassment to the police high command.
“I write to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police over my inappropriate conduct in addressing the press on the forthcoming September 21st Edo Gubernatorial election in the uniform of the Nigeria Police Force which allegedly embarrassed the high command of the Police Force,” Agbomhere stated.
He acknowledged the unintended embarrassment caused by his actions but emphasized that his remarks during the press interview were strictly personal opinions.
“I posit that the views expressed in the media interview were not that of Nigeria Police Force but my personal opinion justified within the context of my constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of speech and association,” he said.
Agbomhere, a lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner, expressed deep concern over what he described as the assault on democracy and human rights under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration in Edo State.
“I am pained by the increasing assault on the sanctity of our democracy and human rights by the Obaseki-led government,” he noted.
Highlighting recent violent incidents in Edo State, Agbomhere accused Governor Obaseki of fostering insecurity and corruption.
He referenced the killing of Inspector Anu Akoh, a police officer attached to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, allegedly by thugs linked to the governor.
“I decided to alert Edo people, Nigerians, and the International Community of the danger that Governor Obaseki poses to the security, well-being, and democratic order of our dear state,” he declared.
Agbomhere also criticized the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Council for an attack on APC members in Ekpoma, describing the incident as “mindless and brutal.”
He said, “In the feat of my emotions generated by the conduct of Godwin Obaseki and the monster that he has become, I forgot inadvertently that I was dressed in the Police Uniform as a Supernumerary Chief Superintendent whilst the interview lasted.”
Dr. Agbomhere sought to establish his credentials as a patriotic citizen and committed public servant.
He listed various roles he holds, including Chairman of the Board of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), membership in the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other prestigious organizations. He stated that his involvement in these associations is part of his commitment to nation-building.
“I have committed my life to the activities of nation-building by helping Nigerians and Nigeria,” Agbomhere said. He further noted that his affiliation with the Supernumerary Police Division was to support peace, security, and good governance in the country.
In his remarks, Agbomhere did not shy away from sharp criticism of the Edo State government, especially concerning its financial mismanagement.
He accused Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo, the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team and PDP gubernatorial candidate, of enriching themselves at the expense of the state.
“Is it right for the Candidate of PDP, Asue Ighodalo, who is the Chairman of Edo State Economic Team, to collect from Edo State Treasury the sum of One Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (N1,800,000,000.00) through Banwo and Ighodalo while many Edo workers are crying of hunger?” Agbomhere questioned.
He alleged that Obaseki and Ighodalo had wasted trillions of naira on fraudulent projects with no visible benefits to the state.
“I will continue to stand against the massive corruption and incompetence of the Edo State government under Godwin Obaseki as Governor and Asue Ighodalo as Chairman of Edo State Economic Team,” Agbomhere vowed.
He went further to claim that Obaseki had made threats regarding the upcoming gubernatorial election, warning that Edo and Nigeria would “burn” if his chosen successor, Ighodalo, was not elected.
“Should a Chief Security Officer of a State be allowed to behave in this manner?” Agbomhere asked rhetorically.
The APC leader also condemned Obaseki for disrespecting the Benin Cultural Heritage, mismanaging state resources, and failing to pay pensions and salaries at the state-owned Ambrose Alli University.
“Denigrating the reverend Cultural Heritage and Institution of the Benin people, acquiring landed property of Edo people without compensation, several months of unpaid pensions and allowances of retired and serving lecturers in the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, massive insecurity in Edo state, and total breakdown of economic activities are all under the watch and supervision of the People’s Democratic Party Candidate, Asue Ighodalo,” Agbomhere asserted.
He urged Edo voters to support Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, whom he described as a leader without godfathers.
According to him, Okpebholo would bring “humble and sacrificial leadership” to Edo State.
“Unlike Asue Ighodalo, who is Godwin Obaseki’s puppet and front, Monday Okpebholo is the only candidate without a godfather,” Agbomhere said.
However, Agbomhere in the statement called for unity in Edo State, even as he urged the electorate to back Okpebholo and promised that the incoming governor would form an inclusive government.
“I also seize this medium to solicit the incoming Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that when elected and sworn in, he should form an all-inclusive government,” Agbomhere stated.
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