The Caretaker Committee of Edo PDP has called on the Federal Government, international agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to bring to an end lawlessness and brazen assault on democracy in the state.
The State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi made the call while briefing the press on the invasion of the state PDP secretariat at Airport Road, Benin City, by the state APC chairman, Mr Jarrett Tenebe who allegedly led thugs with the aid of police from the state government house to the place.
Dr Aziegbemi who decried the alleged executive rascality, expressed worries that if the ugly trend was left unchecked, it could snowball into a breakdown of law and order, leading to anarchy and chaos in the state.
He said that the entire operation was violent and brutal, such as had never been heard of, or seen before, lasting for more than an hour.
Dr. Aziegbemi further narrated how the secretariat was vandalized, wrecked and destroyed including banners and other materials that were taken off and destroyed.
He alleged that lives were put in danger, including his own as the chairman of PDP in the state. He narrated how he was forcefully bundled out of his office amidst brutal assault and violence.
The Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman described the incident as arguably the worst attack on democracy in any part of the country since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999, even military regimes before 1999 were not as violent or brutal against dissenting voices as witnessed in the state.
While pointing out that PDP was the legitimate tenant of the property, he alleged that the same devious tactics were deployed to sack and intimidate duly elected council chairmen and the vice chairmen out of office, using horse whips and other dangerous weapons.
Dr. Aziegbemi also alleged that the same pattern was deployed in motor parks and markets by thugs to harass, intimidate, and extort transporters and traders daily without restraints.
He accused the police and other security agencies in the State who are supposed to put them in check of either being complacent or complicit.
