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 1:31 pm on January 16, 2025, the APC, led by Jarret Tenebe and utilizing several Hilux vans and other vehicles, sent in their thugs, supported by police officers from the Government House, to forcefully remove the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from its secretariat on Airport Road in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

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. Military regimes before 1999 were not as violent or brutal against dissenting voices as the Okpebholo-led government since they took 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 years months. We State unequivocally that we are the legitimate tenants of the said property. It is the same devious tactics deployed to sack and intimidate duly elected council chairmen and the vice chairmen out of office, using horse whips and other dangerous weapons. It is the same pattern that is deployed in motor parks and markets, where thugs operating under the protection of the state government harass, intimidate, and extort transporters and traders daily without restraint.

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 urge the Federal Government, international organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to rein in Governor Okpebholo, who has become a rampant force of lawlessness. They must clarify the boundaries of his gubernatorial authority and stop this executive misconduct, illegality, criminality, and blatant attack on democracy.

Again, we warn that the wind in Edo State is ill and will blow no one.

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi,
Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee