Tension escalated at the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin City on Wednesday after gunmen, suspected to be political thugs, disrupted proceedings by firing sporadically into the air and shouting, “Give us our mandate.” The incident caused panic as lawyers, tribunal members, and others present fled for safety.
APC Condemns the Violence
In a statement, Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe described the shooting as a “deeply disturbing and unacceptable act of violence” that undermines the judicial process.
“The tribunal is a sacred space where justice is meant to be administered impartially. Any act of violence within its walls undermines the foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved,” Tenebe said.
He accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating the attack, calling for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Violence has no place in a civilized society, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception,” he added.
PDP Denies Involvement
In a counter-statement, Edo PDP Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi refuted the APC’s allegations, distancing the party from the incident. Aziegbemi accused the APC of staging the violence to tarnish the PDP’s image and disrupt the legal process.
“The APC in Edo, who are clearly scared of justice, have continued their devious ploy to frustrate our party from reclaiming the mandate duly given to us by the good people of Edo in the last governorship election at the tribunal,” Aziegbemi said.
He alleged that APC thugs disguised themselves in PDP-branded attire to cause chaos, pointing out that such actions were part of a broader strategy to frustrate the tribunal proceedings.
Call for Justice
Both parties have called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the shooting thoroughly and ensure that justice is served. The incident has heightened tension surrounding the tribunal, which is hearing disputes over the Edo State Governorship Election.
Observers have expressed concern over the growing political rivalry, urging all stakeholders to respect the sanctity of the judicial process and avoid actions that could destabilize the state.
