A member of the House of Representatives, Billy Osawaru, has dismissed allegations linking the Edo State Government to Tuesday’s attack on the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing the claims as false, baseless and politically motivated.
Osawaru, who represents Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State, spoke on Thursday while addressing members of the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja. He was reacting to accusations by his Anambra counterpart, Patrick Uzokwe, who alleged that the February 24, 2026, incident in Benin City involved actors backed by the Edo State Government.
The lawmaker firmly rejected the claims, insisting that there was no evidence connecting the attack to Governor Monday Okpebholo or any official of the state administration.
According to him, no security agency has established or even suggested such a link in its preliminary findings.
“It is dangerous to stand before the press and insinuate state-sponsored violence without proof. Such allegations not only mislead the public but risk inflaming tensions in an already charged political environment,” Osawaru said.
He warned that politicising security incidents could undermine ongoing investigations and erode public trust in democratic institutions. Osawaru stressed that security matters should be handled with caution and responsibility, especially when they involve high-profile political figures.
The Edo lawmaker also called on political leaders to refrain from making statements capable of escalating tensions across party lines. He noted that while the attack on Obi’s convoy was condemnable, drawing premature conclusions without verified facts would do more harm than good.
Osawaru urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, regardless of their affiliations. He maintained that accountability must be based on credible evidence, not speculation.
Reaffirming his commitment to peace and democratic engagement, Osawaru appealed to political actors and their supporters to allow law enforcement agencies to complete their work without interference or pressure.
The February 24 incident in Benin City has continued to generate reactions across the political spectrum, with calls for restraint and a fact-based approach dominating discussions in the National Assembly and beyond.
