The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday condemned Governor Okpeboro over the tussle between his secretariat and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a report by Naija News, Edo PDP Management Committee Chairman Tony Agiegbemi in a statement on Saturday described the invitation by the Secretariat as criminal trespass and egregious.
Mr. Agiegbemi maintained that the PDP remained the rightful tenant of the building, saying the manner in which the APC, led by state chairman Jarrett Tennebe, had occupied the building was a dangerous invitation to anarchy.
The party called on the federal government, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to intervene and urged Okpeboro and APC to exercise restraint before the situation worsens.
The statement read: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State continues to perpetrate banditry, illegal activities and violent attacks on democracy which will snowball into the breakdown of law and order and threaten the state. disorder and confusion.
“Yesterday, January 16, 2025, at 13:31 p.m., the APC, led by Jarrett Tenebe, used several Hilux vans and other vehicles to raid thugs with the support of police officers from the Government House. The Secretariat is located at Airport Road, Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
“The whole operation was the most violent and brutal I’ve ever heard or seen and sadly lasted over an hour. The Secretariat was destroyed and there was debris and destruction everywhere. Banners and other materials were removed and destroyed in PDP in Edo State. Lives, including mine as Speaker, were at risk. I was forcibly removed from my office with the help of the Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, amid brutal assault and violence against me. Ta.
“Without a doubt, this is the worst attack on democracy in any part of Nigeria since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999. Since taking over, he has not been as violent and brutal towards dissent as the Okpebolo-led government.” He took office on November 12, 2024.
“Today’s violent takeover of the PDP Secretariat by Okpeboro and APC is a clear reflection of the reign of terror that the people of Edo State have been witnessing for the past two months. clearly stated.
“We must say unequivocally that Edo is on the brink. Democracy in Edo is on fire. To make matters worse, the police and other security agencies in the state that are supposed to keep them in check are either complacent or complicit. It looks like there is.
“We call on the Federal Government, international organizations, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to rein in Governor Okpeboro, who has become a force unleashing lawlessness, to inform him of the limits of his powers as governor, and to put an end to the lawlessness. We call on you to attack this government for its brutality, its illegality, its robbery, and its brazen attack on democracy.”
