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Thugs Attack PDP Secretariat in Edo, to Steal Election Evidence Ahead of Tribunal

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 22nd, 2024.

Thugs Attack PDP Secretariat in Edo, to Steal Election Evidence Ahead of Tribunal

Benin City was rocked by violence on Tuesday when armed thugs launched an attack on the Edo State PDP Secretariat located on Airport Road, sending local traders and business owners scrambling for safety.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, led by a man named Kapuepue, the younger brother of APC Youth Leader Tony Kabaka, arrived while chanting war songs and firing guns into the air. They first tore down banners and billboards outside the building before overpowering the security personnel guarding the entrance and forcing their way inside.

Once inside, the attackers assaulted staff, looted valuables, and caused extensive damage to property. Offices were ransacked, doors and windows were smashed, and equipment such as computers, printers, and important files were stolen. Some of the documents taken included photocopies related to the PDP’s election petition, though the original files were not found.

Henry Duke Tenebe, the newly appointed Secretary of the PDP State Caretaker Committee, was trapped in his office during the raid. Ruth, an administrative officer, explained, “They claimed that PDP was finished and warned us not to return, threatening that next time they would kill us. They were specifically searching for original election petition documents but only got their hands on photocopies and other paperwork.”

The attack comes at a time when the PDP is engaged in a legal dispute over the results of the September 21 gubernatorial election. Party leaders have accused the APC of orchestrating the assault to intimidate opposition members and derail the PDP’s efforts at the election tribunal.

Andrew Enantomhen, a youth leader within the PDP, condemned the attack as a desperate attempt by APC supporters to conceal their actions. “They’ve temporarily stolen our mandate and now they’re trying to erase the evidence. Why are they searching for documents? The case is already in court, and justice will prevail in Edo,” he said.

Enantomhen also called for action against Kapuepue, highlighting his criminal history. “Kapuepue is not above the law. We all saw the video of him brandishing a gun during the incident with a police officer. Now he’s leading thugs in broad daylight? The Inspector General of Police must intervene and bring him to justice.”

The youth leader warned that PDP supporters may be compelled to take matters into their own hands if the violence persists.

This attack has raised alarm about rising political violence in Edo State, with many fearing it could further erode trust in the state’s electoral system and heighten tensions between the competing political factions.

In response to the attack, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, expressed outrage. “It’s both disappointing and unfortunate that the APC, in their desperation to undermine the PDP’s legitimate challenge, resorted to thuggery. If they truly believe they won the election fairly, why are they resorting to violence to block our efforts to reclaim the mandate given to us by the people of Edo?”

He added, “The PDP remains determined and unshaken in its quest for justice and the restoration of our mandate.”

By evening, while calm had returned to Airport Road, the damage to the PDP Secretariat—broken windows and torn billboards—stood as a grim reminder of the violence, and a sign of more unrest as the gubernatorial election petition tribunal approaches.