By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
The Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have become involved in another bitter dispute. This time, the controversy centers on an alleged attack on the PDP’s secretariat in Benin City.
According to the PDP, a member of the APC mobilized youths to invade its secretariat. The thugs, allegedly led by a relative of the APC’s state youth leader, destroyed and carted away properties worth millions of naira.
Chris Nehikhare, the publicity secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, condemned the attack. He stated that the invaders destroyed doors, windows, and office equipment at the party’s secretariat. Several electronics, computers, and other valuable items were also carted away by the thugs, who ransacked the building with the intention of attacking anyone present.
Nehikhare strongly condemned the attack, saying, “It is quite disappointing and unfortunate that the APC, on Thursday, mobilised 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.”
He questioned the APC’s actions, saying, “If the APC are confident that they won the election free and square and have nothing to hide, why are they jittery and mobilising thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat? This is barbaric and totally condemnable.”
Nehikhare urged the relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack and ensure that the offenders are caught. He emphasized that the PDP remains calm and will not be intimidated in its pursuit of justice and the restoration of its mandate.
Nehikhare also called on members of the party and supporters to remain calm and resolute in the face of the provocations. He assured them that the leadership of the party is exploring every legal channel to reclaim its mandate.
In response, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the publicity secretary of the APC, described the allegation as baseless. He questioned the PDP’s claim, saying, “How can the PDP say that the thugs that attacked their party secretariat are those of APC? Did the people have anything on them to show that they are APC members?”
Uwadiae-Igbinigie said PDP should settle its internal crisis and not drag the APC into it. He emphasized that the APC government in the state is focused on delivering projects that will better the lives of the people.
He stated, “APC government in the state is already embarking on projects that the PDP failed to do. These are projects that will better the lives of the people.”
