A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, Ken Imasuagbon, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently rein in members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following a reported attack on opposition figures in Benin.
Imasuagbon made the call on Wednesday while reacting to the alleged attack on the ADC secretariat and the residence of former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, where the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and other stakeholders were meeting.
Describing the development as a dangerous signal for democracy, Imasuagbon warned that failure to check what he termed the excesses of APC members could plunge Edo into chaos.
“It is deeply troubling that Edo State is witnessing this emerging wave of political intolerance. What happened is a prelude to chaos and anarchy if not urgently addressed. President Tinubu must call his party members in Edo to order before the situation spirals out of control,” he said.
He alleged that the attack bore the “imprint of ruling party hirelings,” stressing that political intimidation and violence have no place in a democratic society.
Imasuagbon cautioned against turning Edo into a political battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged the President to promote tolerance and internal discipline within the APC. He also called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to maintain law and order in the state.
The ADC secretariat on Ogbelaka Street, off Sokponba Road, was reportedly attacked by suspected gunmen who fired sporadically and destroyed property. Some party members were said to have sustained injuries.
The assailants allegedly proceeded to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where vehicles were damaged. Dignitaries present at the time reportedly included Obi, Olumide Akpata and Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor.
However, the Edo State Government has dismissed the allegations as false and malicious. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebojele, the government denied issuing any directive to target opposition members.
The administration insisted that no arm of the state government was involved in the alleged attack and described the claims as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence.
It further maintained that Governor Okpebholo’s earlier security advisory regarding high-profile political visits was issued strictly in his capacity as Chief Security Officer of the state to ensure proper coordination and public safety.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all residents and visitors, urging political actors to verify facts before making statements capable of heightening tension in the polity.
