Edo Governorship Election Tribunal: Police Bolster Security Amid Rising Tensions
The Edo State Police Command has ramped up security at the governorship election petition tribunal in Benin City following heightened tensions during the first week of hearings at the High Court Complex on Sapele Road.
Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH on Sunday, the police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and order at the tribunal venue after reports of gunfire and a clash between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC Declares APC’s Okpebholo Winner, PDP Disputes Outcome
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, as the winner of the Edo State governorship election held in September 2024. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,655 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party finished third with 22,763 votes.
However, the PDP rejected the election results, alleging fraud and irregularities. Ighodalo condemned the process, calling it “one of the worst elections in the country’s history.”
Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, the PDP and six other political parties filed petitions at the tribunal, seeking to overturn the election results. The PDP, in particular, is demanding that Ighodalo be declared the rightful winner.
Vote Buying and Intimidation Allegations
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa, which monitored the election, accused both the PDP and APC of vote buying. The organization also reported cases of intimidation of electoral officials in some areas.
Escalating Violence at the Tribunal Venue
The first week of tribunal proceedings was marred by multiple violent incidents:
• On Wednesday, a viral video showed an armed thug firing shots into the air while shouting, “Give us back our mandate,” near the High Court Complex.
• On Thursday, armed individuals reportedly attempted to storm the tribunal venue but were stopped by security forces.
• On Friday, tensions flared again as party supporters clashed with private security personnel accompanying a candidate to the tribunal premises.
Police Respond with Increased Security Measures
In response to these events, Edo State Police Command spokesperson, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed that additional officers had been deployed to ensure safety at the tribunal venue.
“It is our duty to prevent any breach of peace at the tribunal, and we have increased our deployment accordingly,” Yamu stated. He also urged political parties to adhere to electoral laws and avoid inciting violence.
In a separate January 16, 2025, statement, titled “Commissioner of Police Orders Investigation into Viral Shooting Incident,” the Edo Police Command ordered a probe into the viral video showing a gunman firing into the air.
The statement read:
“The attention of the Edo State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video of an armed individual firing shots before escaping in an unmarked white Hilux vehicle. However, we categorically state that no shooting incident occurred within the High Court premises during the tribunal sitting on January 15, 2025, as adequate security was in place.”
The Commissioner of Police, Umoru Ozigi, has ordered an investigation to identify and apprehend the gunman.
APC and PDP Trade Accusations Over Violence
The Edo APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, accused the PDP of instigating violence around the tribunal venue. He criticized PDP candidate Ighodalo for bringing private security personnel to the court, arguing that only police and DSS officials should provide security.
“Globally, non-conventional security personnel are not allowed in court premises. Yet, Ighodalo arrived with private security, posing a threat to litigants and witnesses,” Uwadiae-Igbinigie claimed.
He further denied allegations that the APC was intentionally fueling the crisis to have the tribunal moved out of Edo State.
“It is unfair to blame the APC for these disturbances. Evidence, including video footage, clearly shows that PDP supporters were responsible for the violence, including the gunman seen firing shots on Wednesday,” he added.
PDP Claims APC Is Distracting the Tribunal
The PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, countered by accusing the APC of trying to divert public attention from the tribunal proceedings.
“We are satisfied with how the tribunal is progressing, especially as our 1,004 pieces of evidence have been accepted as exhibits,” Nehikhare stated. “However, we are disappointed that APC is attempting to distract the PDP and the Edo people from following the case.”
He alleged that the gunman in the viral video was an APC supporter disguised as a PDP member.
Nehikhare also claimed that the APC had taken over the PDP secretariat and that the police had failed to intervene. He defended the presence of private security personnel, arguing that they were necessary to protect the PDP candidate and his lawyers from harassment.
“APC thugs have created an unsafe environment, and the police have not acted appropriately. We do not trust them to ensure our candidate’s safety, which is why we hired private security,” he added.
Labour Party Calls for Restraint
Meanwhile, Labour Party Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, urged all parties to exercise caution, warning that the escalating crisis threatens democracy.
“The way both leading parties are treating this tribunal as a battlefield is dangerous. Supporters should allow the court process to proceed without intimidation or violence,” Uruopa said.
He called on the APC and PDP to refrain from encouraging their supporters to carry weapons and instead respect the legal process.
Conclusion
As the Edo governorship tribunal proceedings continue, tensions remain high, with both the APC and PDP trading accusations while the police work to maintain order. The tribunal’s decision will be closely watched, as it could reshape the political landscape in Edo State.
No comments:
Post a Comment