The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned what it described as Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “politics of intimidation and demolition,” warning that the state is on the brink of political anarchy.
In a statement released on Wednesday, signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party accused the governor of descending into “threats, intimidation and dangerous political brinkmanship,” following his public allegation that the African Democratic Congress was promoting cultism and his vow to demolish houses belonging to opposition leaders and members.
“The Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State Chapter, strongly condemns the alarming descent of Governor Monday Okpebholo into threats, intimidation and dangerous political brinkmanship,” the statement read.
According to the PDP, “no governor in a constitutional democracy possesses the power to criminalise political opposition by proclamation. Allegation is not conviction. Political affiliation is not evidence of crime. Property rights are constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be withdrawn on the altar of executive irritation or political paranoia.”
The party said the governor’s comments amounted to “executive recklessness of the highest order,” adding that the fight against cultism “cannot be reduced to political theatre designed to demonise opponents.”
The PDP further alleged that credible reports from Benin City indicated that during the formal declaration of Mr Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals trailed opposition leaders from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, fired gunshots at the gate and destroyed vehicles in what it described as “an attempted assassination.”
“If these reports are accurate, Edo State is standing dangerously close to political anarchy,” Osa-Ogbegie said.
“The sequence is deeply concerning. First, inflammatory accusations. Then threats of demolition. Now reported armed intimidation. This trajectory must be halted immediately.”
The development follows reports of an attack on former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and some chieftains of the ADC in Benin City on Tuesday during Akpata’s formal declaration into the party.
According to Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, “Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
Photos and videos circulated by Tanko reportedly showed bullet-riddled gates and smashed SUV windscreens.
Reacting, the Edo PDP called on Governor Okpebholo to “immediately retract his threats against opposition members and publicly reaffirm his commitment to constitutional governance.”
The party also urged security agencies to conduct a transparent investigation into the reported attack and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice “irrespective of political affiliation.”
“We call on the Nigeria Police and all security agencies operating in Edo State to remain professional and impartial. Their loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to transient political office holders,” the statement added.
The PDP maintained that “democracy thrives on debate, contestation and lawful engagement,” warning that it would resist “any attempt to drag our state into executive lawlessness or politically induced violence.”
“Edo belongs to its people, not to one administration. Governor Okpebholo must step back from this dangerous path before irreversible damage is done to our democratic fabric,” Osa-Ogbegie stated.
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