In Benin City, the capital of Edo state, thugs associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently looted the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
When the armed thugs overran the Edo State PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, traders and store owners fled for their lives, causing mayhem throughout the city.
According to witnesses, the attackers entered chanting war songs and firing intermittently into the air. They were headed by a man described as Kapuepue, the younger brother of APC Youth Leader Tony Kabaka.
Before overwhelming security personnel and breaking in, they allegedly demolished billboards and banners outside the facility.
According to reports, the group damaged buildings, stole valuables, and attacked employees. They raided offices, broke down doors and windows, and took laptops, printers, and big bags full of papers and files from the secretariat.
“They said PDP is dead, so nobody should come here again or they will kill us next time”.
“They came looking for original copies of our election petition evidence, but they didn’t find any. All they took were photocopies and other documents,” an administrative officer at the secretariat simply identified as Ruth said.
The incident coincides with a tense legal dispute over the outcome of the gubernatorial election held on September 21.
In order to scare them and thwart the party’s challenge before the electoral tribunal, PDP officials have accused the APC of masterminding the violence.
PDP youth leader Andrew Enantomhen described the incident as an act of desperation by APC members.
“They have temporarily stolen our mandate and are now trying to cover their tracks. Why are they looking for documents? The case has already been filed in court. Justice will be served in Edo State,” he said.
Enantomhen also urged the police to restore order, warning that the party’s supporters may be forced to defend themselves if the violence continues.
Reacting to the incident, Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said, “It is quite disappointing and unfortunate that the APC, on Thursday, mobilized thugs to attack our party Secretariat in their desperation to frustrate and halt efforts by our great party to reclaim the mandate duly given to it by the Edo people at the September 21 governorship election.
“If the APC are confident that they won the election free and square and have nothing to hide, why are they jittery and mobilizing thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat?”
“The PDP remains resolute and will not be intimidated or deterred in its pursuit for justice and th
e restoration of our mandate.”
