Invasion Of Secretariat: Edo PDP Call On President Tinubu To Rein In Gov Okpebholo
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Caretaker Committee of the
People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter has called on the Federal Government, International Agencies, Civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to rein in Governor Okpebholo,illegality and brazen assault on democracy.
Dr. Tony Aziegbemi , Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee stated this on Friday in Benin City, while reacting to the invasion and illegal takeover of the PDP Secretariat by the APC on Thursday.
Aziegbemi said, the 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.
The Nigerian Post recalled that, APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, led his party members to takeover the PDP Secretariat on Thursday.
Speaking shortly after the takeover of the party secretariat, Tenebe , said the property rightfully belonged to the APC as they had renewed the rent for a period of 7 years before the PDP, with the help of Gov Godwin Obaseki, forcefully took it from them.”
According to the Aziegbemi, “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”. He said.
Adding that, “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.”
“We State unequivocally that we are the legitimate tenants of the said property. The landlord is alive and can testify to that that we are the legitimate tenant of the building.
He called on the APC chairman, Jarrett Tenebe to provide the evidence of his claimed ownership of the said property.” He queried.
He said, ” 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.”
“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 illegality and brazen assault on democracy.he stated.
Again, we warn that the wind currently blowing in Edo State is an ill-wind, which will blow no one no good. He concluded.