PDP alleges APC link to Edo secretariat assault

The Edo State PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, Benin City, became a flashpoint of political tension on Thursday as armed thugs stormed the premises, vandalising property and allegedly targeting election petition documents.

Eyewitnesses identified the attackers as being allegedly led by “Kapuepue,” the younger brother of APC youth leader Tony Kabaka. Chanting war songs and firing sporadically, the assailants destroyed banners and billboards before overpowering security guards to gain entry. Inside, they ransacked offices, smashed windows, and carted away computers, printers, and bags filled with documents. No lives were lost during the attack.

“They said PDP is dead, so nobody should come here again or they will kill us next time,” recounted an administrative officer at the secretariat, who simply identified herself as Ruth. She claimed the attackers sought original election petition evidence but found only photocopies.

The assault unfolded amidst an ongoing legal challenge to the results of the September 21 gubernatorial election, which the PDP has contested in court. The party’s leaders allege that the APC orchestrated the attack to intimidate their members and derail the election tribunal process.

Andrew Enantomhen, a PDP youth leader, condemned the violence, accusing the APC of resorting to “desperate” tactics. “They have temporarily stolen our mandate and are now trying to cover their tracks,” he said. Enantomhen called on the police to act swiftly, stating, “Kapuepue is not above the law. The Inspector General of Police must bring him to justice.”

The Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, decried the attack as a deliberate effort by the APC to destabilise the PDP’s efforts to reclaim its alleged mandate. “If the APC are confident they won the election freely, why are they jittery and mobilising thugs?” he asked.

An anonymous APC official, however, denied any involvement when The Guardian reached out, dismissing claims of the party’s affiliation with the alleged perpetrators.

As calm returned to Airport Road, the shattered windows and damaged billboards at the secretariat stood as grim reminders of the day’s violence. Political observers warn that such incidents risk undermining the credibility of Edo State’s democratic process as the governorship election petition tribunal begins its proceedings.