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The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blamed Governor Monday Okpehbolo, over secretariat tussle with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that the Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Tony Aziegbemi, in a statement on Saturday, described the invitation of its secretariat as criminal trespass and malicious.
Aziegbemi asserted that PDP remains the legitimate tenant of the building, stating that how the APC, led by its state chairman, Jaret Tenebe, occupied the building is a dangerous invitation to anarchy.
The party called on the Federal Government, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene and urge Okpebholo and the APC to exercise restraint before the situation escalates.
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has continued its brigandage, illegality, and violent assault on democracy, and we are deeply worried that if unabated, it may snowball into a breakdown of law and order, leading to anarchy and chaos in the State.
“At 13.31pm yesterday, January 16, 2025, the APC, using several Hilux vans and other vehicles, led by Jarret Tenebe, deployed their thugs, backed by police officers from the Government House, to sack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from its secretariat on Airport Road, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
“The entire operation was violent and brutal, as has never been heard of or seen before and sadly it lasted for more than an hour. The secretariat was vandalized, and there was wreckage and destruction everywhere. Banners and other materials were taken off and destroyed. Lives were put in danger, including mine as the Chairman of the PDP in Edo State. I was forcefully bundled out of my office with the help of Mr Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, amidst brutal assault and violence against my person.
“No doubt, this is arguably the worst attack on democracy in any part of Nigeria since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999. Even military regimes before 1999 were not as violent or brutal against dissenting voices as the Okpebholo-led government since they took over office on November 12, 2024.
“Today’s violent takeover of the PDP Secretariat by Okpebholo and the APC is a clear reflection of the reign of terror that the people of Edo State have witnessed over the past two months. We State unequivocally that we are the legitimate tenants of the said property.
“We must unequivocally state that Edo is at the precipice. Democracy in Edo State is on fire. Worst still, the police and other security agencies in the State who are supposed to put them in check appear to be either complacent or complicit.
“We call on the Federal Government, international agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to rein in Governor Okpebholo, who has become an unleashed force of lawlessness, and let him know the limits of his power as a governor and put an end to this executive rascality, illegality, brigandage and brazen assault on democracy.”
