PDP And APC Clash As Gunshots Disrupt Edo Tribunal Hearing

Gunshots disrupted the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal hearing on Wednesday in Benin City, the state’s capital.

Reports indicated that hoodlums were seen outside the tribunal venue as gunshots rang out, forcing people to flee for safety.

The tribunal had begun hearing the case on the petitions challenging the results of the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election, where Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner.

Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the main challenger in the case.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo received 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came in third with 22,763 votes.

The PDP and APC in the state have since exchanged accusations regarding the shooting incident at the tribunal venue.

On Wednesday, APC Chairman in Edo, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, accused PDP members of carrying out the “disturbing and unacceptable” violence, calling it an attack on the integrity of the tribunal.

He emphasized that such actions undermine the legal system and endanger everyone involved, regardless of their political party.

Tenebe condemned the violence, stating that those responsible must be brought to justice.

He said, “The Tribunal is a sacred space where justice is meant to be administered impartially. Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved.

“Regardless of political affiliation, resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable. We must all condemn such actions in the strongest possible terms.

“Violence has no place in a civilized society, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception.”

On the other hand, Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, rejected the APC’s accusations.

He claimed that the APC had hired thugs to disrupt the tribunal proceedings, while falsely blaming the PDP.

Aziegbemi stated that the APC was trying to prevent the PDP from reclaiming its legitimate mandate and was using underhanded tactics, including using thugs dressed in PDP-branded clothing, to derail the legal process.

He denied any involvement in the shooting, calling the incident part of a series of efforts by the APC to discredit the PDP and hinder justice.

Aziegbemi said, “The APC is clearly scared of justice, and have continued their devious ploy to frustrate our party, from reclaiming the mandate duly given to us by the good people of Edo State in the last governorship election at the Tribunal and have now resorted to deploying thugs disguised in PDP-branded attire to disrupt the legal process, while pointing accusing fingers at our party.

“We strongly dissociate ourselves from the shooting incident that occurred today at the venue of the Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin City, the Edo State capital, and want to unequivocally state that this shameful incident is yet another in the series of clandestine efforts by the APC to frustrate the legal process and tarnish the image of our party.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Monday Okpebholo, the newly elected Governor of Edo State, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn into office on November 12, 2024.