The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the last Edo governorship election, Asue Ighodalo condemned what he called “deliberate acts of violence and harassment meant to make us take our eyes off the ball.”
He, however, expressed gratitude to the people of Edo State and reiterated his confidence in the judiciary as the tribunal proceedings over the disputed September 2024 governorship election intensified.
The guber candidate spoke to reporters outside the courthouse on Wednesday, where he addressed supporters’ concerns and condemned acts of intimidation aimed at disrupting the legal process.
Media Talk Africa reports that an armed man was seen in a viral video demanding justice from the tribunal.
Addressing reporters, Ighodalo said, “We strongly believe that the judiciary will do the right thing, and we’re looking forward to the outcome of the tribunal.
“Our focus remains reclaiming our mandate and working positively for the good people of Edo State. We will take poverty out of our land, eliminate fear and intimidation, and unlock the great potential of this state.
“I want to thank the good people of Edo State for coming out in massive numbers to vote for us on September 21 and for keeping faith through the difficulties.
“They’ve stayed calm in the face of intimidation and harassment, living on the strong hope that our efforts to reclaim our mandate will be successful.”
On the series of alarming incidents that have marred the tribunal proceedings, including an attack by a masked gunman outside the courthouse, he noted that “These acts of violence and harassment are deliberate distractions meant to make us take our eyes off the ball.”
He further stated that “the incidents underscore the importance of staying focused.
“There are many distractions being thrown our way, but we will not be deterred.
“Our goal remains ensuring that we go through this tribunal process and hopefully emerge with the mandate the people of Edo State gave my deputy Osarodion Ogie and myself.”
It could be recalled that earlier on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, raided a popular Benin hotel where PDP witnesses were reportedly being kept, an incident that further raised tensions.
Party officials have accused the APC of deploying state resources to intimidate witnesses and derail the tribunal process.
The EFCC has released a statement confirming the raid but denying that it was politically motivated.
Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP’s Edo Caretaker Committee, condemned the incidents, linking them to a broader APC strategy of intimidation.
“The APC is deploying thugs disguised in PDP attire and using state agencies like the EFCC to disrupt our case at the tribunal. This level of desperation is unacceptable,” he claimed.
