Governor Monday Okpebholo has strongly denounced the recent attack on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, describing the development as a disturbing escalation of what he characterised as an internal political dispute.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, the governor expressed sympathy for those affected while condemning the violence that marred what should have been peaceful political engagement.
He suggested that the incident stemmed from disagreements within the party but degenerated beyond acceptable limits.
Okpebholo warned against the infiltration of political activities by individuals allegedly brought in from outside the state to foment trouble.
According to him, Edo’s longstanding reputation for peace must not be jeopardised by acts of violence disguised as partisan rivalry.
“As a peace-loving people, we will not tolerate the importation of thugs and miscreants under the cover of politics,” the governor said, reaffirming his responsibility as the state’s chief security officer to safeguard lives and property.
While noting that investigations were ongoing to determine the precise motive behind the attack, Okpebholo maintained that the incident appeared designed to portray Edo in a negative light.
He argued that efforts to incite unrest would not distract residents from supporting what he described as a performance-driven administration.
Politics, he added, should revolve around service delivery, public engagement, and the continuous earning of citizens’ trust rather than intimidation or coercion.
The governor further cautioned political actors against exploiting crises for advantage, asserting that orchestrating violence betrays an absence of meaningful programmes to present to voters.
Okpebholo emphasised that his party remains open to constructive opposition but would resist any form of political blackmail.
He advised the ADC to address its internal issues rather than apportion blame externally, suggesting that the violence may have arisen from intra-party tensions.
Calling for calm, he urged residents not to allow the incident to disrupt public peace or damage the state’s image.
“Edo remains one of the most peaceful states in the country,” he said, assuring citizens that security agencies were on alert.
The governor also directed law enforcement authorities to intensify monitoring of political gatherings to prevent further breakdown of order, warning that no group would be permitted to destabilise the state under any guise.
The attack reportedly occurred at the Benin City residence of former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.
Suspected political thugs were said to have targeted ADC chieftains shortly after they concluded a meeting at the party’s secretariat.
The gathering had formally welcomed Olumide Akpata, a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party, into the ADC.
Reacting to the development, former presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned the attack and pledged that the matter would be formally reported.
Obi described the violence as unacceptable, stressing that no democratic society should condone intimidation of political actors or citizens.
He warned against a climate where fear overshadows civic participation.
In a separate statement, the ADC leadership vowed not to be cowed.
The party’s spokesman said acts of violence and intimidation undermine democratic values and reflect anxiety over the electorate’s will.
He insisted the party would neither retreat nor abandon its political activities in the state.
As investigations continue, political observers say the incident has heightened tensions in Edo’s evolving political landscape, underscoring the fragile balance between rivalry and responsibility in Nigeria’s democratic process.
