Nigerian Political Tensions Boil Over as Edo State Government Accuses All Progressives Congress of Leading Crackdown on Opposition Leaders
Tensions in Nigeria’s Edo State escalated on Tuesday as the state government raised the alarm over the arrest of leaders from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), calling on security agencies to intervene and halt the arrests. Chris Nehikhare, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, stated that the arrests were orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nehikhare claimed that over 10 PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, were being held in custody on the orders of the APC. He urged the security agencies to stop the arrests and intimidation of PDP leaders and supporters in the state ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
The PDP Chairman, Godwin Obaseki, has been accused of revealing his party’s readiness to “burn” Nigeria, with Afegbua claiming that he wants to shut down the state and invite the military to take over the reins of power.
Kazeem Afegbua, Media Director of the Edo APC Campaign Council, defended the APC, stating that the PDP was spreading misinformation. He claimed that the state governor had promised to reveal the party’s nefarious plans to burn Nigeria, and that they would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
According to Afegbua, the latest plan involves shutting down Edo State starting from September 15, through mass protests, and inviting the military to take over the reins of power at the Federal level. He also claimed that other PDP-controlled states would join the protest and postpone the resumption of schools to orchestrate a nationwide protest.
The conflicting claims have raised concerns over the stability of the Nigerian political landscape, with fears of violence and instability. The international community is monitoring the situation closely, calling for calm and restraint.
As the political tensions in Edo State continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how the crisis will unfold and what consequences it may have for the country’s fragile democracy.
