Suspected thugs opened fire near the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, coinciding with the resumption of hearings challenging Senator Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 election.
The chaos erupted around 7 a.m. at Exotic Junction, close to the State High Court in Benin. A viral video showed a man in a white T-shirt branded with “AI” wielding a pump-action gun and shouting, “Return mandate! Return our mandate!” The disturbance caused panic among workers and traders in the area.
In response to the violence, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), condemned the incident, labeling it a threat to justice. “The tribunal is a sacred space where justice must be administered impartially. Resorting to violence undermines our legal system and threatens public safety,” he stated, calling on authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
On the other hand, Tony Azeigbemi, caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the APC of instigating the violence to obstruct the PDP’s legal challenge. He claimed that APC thugs disguised in PDP-branded clothing aimed to tarnish his party’s reputation. “This shameful incident is yet another desperate attempt by the APC to frustrate the legal process,” Azeigbemi asserted, reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to a lawful resolution and demanding the arrest of the man seen in the video.
Attempts to get a response from the police were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, went unanswered by the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, began hearings with witnesses for the Accord Party (AP). Zakaria Wisdom Yahaya testified about irregularities at his polling unit during the election. The AP’s candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele, presented three witnesses through his counsel, J.A. Dagher, to support his petition.
The tribunal adjourned the petitions from Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the PDP to January 17 for a pre-hearing meeting on document presentation. The AP’s case is set to continue today.
