African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have called for an immediate end to alleged political intimidation, violence and attacks against opposition parties in Edo.
The parties made the demand at a joint news conference in Benin on Tuesday.
They accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating an atmosphere of fear through alleged harassment of opposition members, destruction of campaign materials and attacks on party facilities.
The State Chairmen of NDC and ADC, Mr David Olukoga and Mr Tony Alile, respectively, said the alleged incidents were threatening democratic participation and the right of political parties to operate freely in the state.
Olukoga said opposition parties had faced increasing intimidation and harassment in the state in the past three weeks, with some of their property allegedly destroyed.
He said the parties decided to address the media jointly to draw public attention to the situation and reaffirm their commitment to lawful political engagement.
“We are not afraid to return or to carry out any other activity, but we are disciplined parties and must follow due process,” he said.
Olukoga listed alleged attacks on NDC facilities and campaign materials, including vandalism of the party’s secretariat in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
He said campaign materials belonging to the party’s candidate for Etsako Federal Constituency, Mr Bawa Mohammed, were vandalised and defaced across the three local government areas in the constituency on Sept. 29.
He also cited an alleged attack on the campaign office of the party’s candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Frank Uyi Omosogo, on Sept. 30, saying video evidence captured the destruction and removal of campaign infrastructure.
The NDC chairman also alleged that party infrastructure was destroyed in Esan North-East on Oct. 24, while members were attacked during a peaceful gathering in Illeh, Edo Central Senatorial District, on Oct. 4.
He also raised concerns over the alleged arrest of a party ward leader, who he said was transferred to the state police command.
Olukoga accused some local government chairmen of allegedly using their positions to intimidate commercial transport operators and business owners associating with opposition parties.
He also expressed concern over reported threats attributed to the Edo APC Chairman, Mr Jarrett Tenebe.
Similarly, Alile accused the APC leadership in the state of creating an atmosphere of political hostility through alleged threats, attacks on opposition leaders and destruction of party infrastructure.
He recalled that ADC had experienced several incidents, including an alleged attempt to set its secretariat on fire in February.
Alile said another attack occurred on Feb. 24, following a party event at the secretariat, where suspected political thugs allegedly assaulted members, destroying musical equipment, canopies and chairs.
He also alleged that the attackers proceeded to the residence of a party leader, where prominent members, including former Governor of Edo, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, had gathered.
He alleged that sporadic gunshots were fired, damaging vehicles parked outside the premises and the entrance gate.
The ADC chairman also cited an alleged attack on the residence of Prof. Oserinde Osunbor in Iruokpe, Edo Central, as well as the reported shooting of a young man during an attack on the convoy of an ADC chieftain at Igwebe on Oct. 6.
He claimed that the young man sustained gunshot injuries and was still recovering from the incident.
Alile also condemned the reported attack on the party’s content creator and entertainer, Mr Osagie Idiedia, known as MC Porkupyne, around Wesley Hotel, Benin, on Oct. 24.
He said the victim sustained injuries on his head and other parts of his body during the alleged attack.
The ADC chairman described the incidents as issues requiring urgent attention from security agencies, stressing that political disagreements should not result in threats to lives and destruction of property.
“No Nigerian should have to pay with his life or physical well-being simply because of his political association or participation in democratic activities,” he said.
Both parties called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the reported incidents, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable.
They also demanded an immediate end to alleged violence and intimidation, responsible political rhetoric by party leaders, neutrality by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a level playing field for all political parties.
The parties urged security agencies to protect the constitutional rights of opposition members, including freedom of association, assembly and political participation.
They urged their members to remain peaceful, avoid provocations, and resist any temptation to retaliate.
When contacted, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Peter Uwadia, however, said he needed first-hand information about the joint news conference before responding to the allegations.
“I cannot be reacting to an issue I don’t have full information about. I need to have first-hand information about what they discussed at that meeting so that I can react appropriately,” he said.
Uwadia said the party would analyse the issues raised at the conference before announcing its position.
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