The Edo State caretaker committee chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, on Friday recounted how he was bundled out of the party’s secretariat by the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He alleged that the APC officials were backed by police officers from the state Government House.
Media Talk Africa reports that Aziegbemi disclosed this at a press briefing titled, ‘Criminal Trespass, Breaking and Entering, Stealing, and Malicious damage’, in Benin City.
Aziegbemi alleged that the APC has continued its brigandage, illegality, violence and assault on democracy.
He warned that the development could lead to a breakdown of law and order, leading to anarchy and chaos in the state.
He said the APC invasion of the PDP secretariat at 59 Airport road, Benin City started at 13.31 pm on January 16, 2025.
“The APC, using several Hilux vans and other vehicles, and led by Jarret Tenebe, deployed their thugs, backed by police officers from the Government House, to sack the Peoples Democratic Party from its secretariat on Airport Road, Benin City, the Edo State capital.
“The entire operation was violent and brutal as has never been heard of or seen before and sadly it lasted for more than an hour.
“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 in the amidst ofp brutal assault and violence against my person.
“No doubt 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.
“The violent take over 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.
“We state unequivocally that we are the legitimate tenants of the said property. It is the same devious tactics deployed to sack and intimidate duly elected council chairmen and the vice chairmen out of office, using horse whips and other dangerous weapons.
“It is the same pattern that is deployed in motor parks and markets, where thugs operating under the protection of the state government harass, intimidate, and extort transporters and traders daily without restraint.
“We must unequivocally state that Edo is at the precipice. Democracy in Edo State is on fire. Worst still, the police and other security agencies in the State who are supposed to put them in check appear to be either complacent or complicit,” the Edo PDP acting chairman alleged.
He also called on the Federal Government, international agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to rein in Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Aziegbemi, who alleged that Okpebholo has unleashed lawlessness in the state, stressed that he should know the limits of his power as a governor.
He warned that the wind currently blowing in the state is an ill-wind which will blow no one no good.
