Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Edo State caretaker committee, described on Friday how the All Progressives Congress (APC) forced him out of the party’s secretariat.
He said that police officers from the state Government House supported the APC officials.
Aziegbemi reportedly revealed this during a press conference in Benin City headed “Criminal Trespass, Breaking and Entering, Stealing, and Malicious Damage.”
According to Aziegbemi, the APC has persisted in its violence, bribery, illegality, and assault on democracy.
He cautioned that the trend might cause law and order to collapse, resulting in turmoil and anarchy throughout the state.
He claimed that on January 16, 2025, at 13:31 p.m., the APC began its invasion of the PDP secretariat located at 59 Airport Road in Benin City.
“Under the leadership of Jarret Tenebe, the APC used a number of Hilux vans and other vehicles, and their thugs, supported by Government House police officers, drove the PDP out of its secretariat on Airport Road in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
“Unfortunately, the entire procedure lasted for more than an hour and was extremely violent and brutal, unlike anything that has ever been seen or heard of.
There was debris and devastation all over the place, and the secretariat was vandalized. They removed and destroyed banners and other stuff. As the chairman of the PDP in Edo State, my life was among the lives endangered.
“During a vicious attack and acts of violence against my person, I was forcibly hauled out of my office.
Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, this is undoubtedly the biggest assault on democracy in any region of the country.
Since taking power on November 12, 2024, the Okpebholo-led government has been more aggressive and ruthless against opposition voices than even military governments before to 1999.
“The reign of terror that the people of Edo State have experienced over the past two months is reflected in the violent takeover of the PDP secretariat by Okpebholo and the APC.
“We categorically declare that we are the rightful occupants of the aforementioned property. Using horse whips and other lethal weapons, the same cunning strategies are being used to remove legitimately elected council chairman and vice chairmen from office.
The same pattern is used in markets and motor parks, where thugs with state protection harass, threaten, and extort traders and transporters on a daily basis without any form of control.
Edo is at the edge, and we have to say that without reservation. Edo State’s democracy is in flames. The Edo PDP acting chairman claimed that the police and other security forces in the state, which are meant to hold them accountable, are either complacent or complicit.
Additionally, he urged the Federal Government, foreign organizations, civil society groups, and other interested parties to restrain Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Aziegbemi emphasized that Okpebholo should be aware of the boundaries of his authority as governor, claiming that he has unleashed lawlessness in the state.
He cautioned that the state is currently experiencing a bad wind that will not benefit anyone.
