By joshua 
Edo Must Not Become 2027 Battlefield, ADC Chieftain Warns After Benin Attack
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, Barrister Ken Imasuangbon,aka, Rice Man, on Wednesday condemned what he described as rising political intolerance in the state, warning that Tuesday’s attack on key opposition figures could trigger chaos and anarchy if not urgently addressed.
Imasuangbon was reacting to the reported attack on the Benin residence of former Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, where the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and other political stakeholders were said to be meeting behind closed doors.
Describing the incident as “the height of political desperation and intimidation,” the ADC stalwart called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rein in members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.
He said, “It is deeply troubling that Edo State is witnessing this emerging wave of political intolerance. What happened on Tuesday is a prelude to chaos and anarchy if not checked,” Imasuangbon said.
He alleged that the attack bore “the imprint of ruling party hirelings,” insisting that such acts of political gangsterism must be condemned by all lovers of democracy.
According to him, “The news of the attack on the ADC Secretariat in Benin and the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun, where prominent leaders like Peter Obi and others were meeting, came to us as a rude shock.
“It is embarrassing and unbecoming of a state with our democratic history.”
Imasuangbon popularly called the “riceman” warned against turning Edo into a battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Edo State should not be turned into a political battlefield as 2027 approaches. We have gone past that era. Politics should be played freely and fairly,” he stated.
The former governorship aspirant, popularly known as “Riceman,” urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to rise to the occasion and ensure law and order.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo should stand firm and put his house in order. Edo deserves better. This is a time to showcase achievements in office, not to encourage miscreants to act as political enforcers,” he said.
He further lamented that the incident had brought reputational damage to Edo State in the comity of nations.
“This is not the Edo State our founding fathers built. We must not allow desperation to destroy the democratic foundations they laid,” he added.