Edo State Government Orders Demolition of Federal Lawmaker’s Residence
The Edo State Government has marked for demolition the residence of Hon. Marcus Onobun, a serving member of the House of Representatives, over alleged links to a violent cult meeting.
According to reports, the lawmaker’s house was allegedly used as a venue for a gathering that escalated into a cult-related clash in Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area. The incident is part of a wider spate of cult-related violence that has rocked the community in recent weeks.
Hon. Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, has strongly denied any involvement in the incident. He stated that the violence occurred far from his property and described the allegations as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation.
Despite his denial, government officials proceeded on Tuesday to mark his residence for demolition. The action has since sparked controversy, with Hon. Onobun describing it as unlawful and a clear abuse of power.
In his response, the lawmaker questioned the absence of due process, noting that there was no formal communication, investigation, or court ruling prior to the demolition notice. He further alleged that the move is part of a wider pattern of political intimidation.
“This appears to be a targeted campaign against opposition voices,” Onobun said, citing similar actions previously taken against other PDP leaders, including a campaign director-general and another party stalwart whose properties were also marked.
As tensions continue to rise over the development, residents and political observers are calling for transparency, legal due process, and an impartial investigation into the claims linking the lawmaker to the violence.
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