Thugs associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently looted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Benin City, the capital of Edo state.
Shop owners and traders fled for their lives as armed thugs attacked the Edo State PDP Secretariat on Airport Road, causing mayhem throughout the city.
The attackers arrived chanting war songs and firing intermittently into the air, according to witnesses. The attackers were headed by a man identified as Kapuepue, the younger brother of APC Youth Leader Tony Kabaka.
After destroying billboards and posters outside the facility, they reportedly overpowered security personnel and broke in.
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The gang allegedly damaged property, stole valuables, and attacked employees.
Inside the secretariat, they smashed doors and windows, ransacked offices, and carted away computers, printers, and large bags filled with files and documents.
“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 attack comes amidst a contentious legal battle over the results of the September 21 gubernatorial election.
PDP leaders have accused the APC of orchestrating the violence to intimidate them and disrupt the party’s challenge at the election tribunal.
Andrew Enantomhen, a PDP youth leader, called the attack a desperate move by APC supporters.
“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 called on the police to bring the peace back, stating that if the violence doesn’t stop, the party’s followers could have to defend themselves.
“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 in response to the incident,” said Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee’s publicity secretary.
Why are the APC agitated and organizing goons to attack the PDP Secretariat if they are certain that they won the election uncontested and have nothing to conceal?
“The PDP is steadfast and will not be intimidated or dissuaded in its efforts to restore our mandate and achieve justice.”
