As the election petition tribunal in Benin City begins its proceedings regarding the September 21, 2024, governorship election, a heated exchange has erupted between the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over an alleged shooting incident at the court. Media Talk Africa reports that the PDP, along with its candidate Asue Ighodalo and six other political parties, is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the election winner.
On January 15, 2025, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, resumed hearings on the petition. During this session, the APC accused political thugs allegedly hired by the PDP of firing shots at the court venue. In a statement issued by the State Acting Chairman of the APC, Jarret Tenebe, titled “APC condemns sporadic shooting by PDP supporters at Tribunal venue in Benin City,” he emphasized that a tribunal is a sacred space meant for the impartial administration of justice.
Tenebe described the shooting incident as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” asserting that any act of violence within the tribunal undermines the foundation of the legal system and jeopardizes the safety of all participants. He condemned the use of violence to resolve disputes, regardless of political affiliation, and called for swift justice against those responsible for the incident. He stated, “Violence has no place in a civilized society, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception.”
In response, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the caretaker committee chairman of the PDP in the state, accused the APC of deploying masked thugs to disrupt tribunal proceedings. He claimed that the ruling party was fearful of justice, leading them to resort to violence. Aziegbemi’s statement asserted that the APC was attempting to frustrate the PDP’s efforts to reclaim the mandate given to them in the last governorship election by deploying thugs disguised in PDP-branded attire to disrupt the legal process while falsely accusing the PDP.
Aziegbemi firmly dissociated the PDP from the shooting incident, stating that it was a shameful act orchestrated by the APC to undermine the legal process and tarnish the PDP’s reputation. He questioned why the PDP would disrupt its only opportunity to reclaim its mandate, emphasizing that the party recognizes the legal process as its pathway to justice. He urged the APC to be more intelligent in their fabrications and highlighted that the PDP had directed its supporters to stay away from the tribunal proceedings to avoid violence.
The PDP chairman expressed surprise that law enforcement did not arrest the individual who was shooting in public without restraint. He called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the gunman, whose face was visible in a trending video, is arrested and prosecuted. Aziegbemi further criticized the APC for their tactics, which he claimed were evident in local councils, motor parks, and markets, where thugs operate under the protection of the state government to intimidate and extort citizens.
He concluded by declaring that enough is enough of the APC’s lawlessness and called for an immediate end to such actions to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the state.
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