*Scenes of the fracas
There was palpable tension in Benin City on Friday morning as political thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed at the ongoing Edo governorship election tribunal.
In several videos circulating on social media, a group of individuals is seen assaulting a man and demanding that he leave the premises. Despite the aggression, the man refused to back down. The incident occurred in the presence of security personnel, including officers from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
A Twitter (X) user @I_Am_Ilemona in one of the videos claimed the APC thugs were led by Tony Kabaka and Kelly Okungbowa popularly called.
“APC thugs led by Tony Kabaka & Ebo Stone have attended the Edo State Elections Tribunal this morning & are violently attacking people & ejecting them from the premises. What’s truly funny? Fully armed @PoliceNG officers are present & doing nothing to stop it. APC is a curse.”
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had at the end of the September 21, 2024, election, declared Monday Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who recorded 247,274 votes.
Not satisfied with INEC’s declaration, the petitioners, Asue Ighodalo, PDP, Accord Party (AP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), dragged INEC, Okpebholo and the APC before the court to challenge the declaration and conduct of the election.
However, the commencement of the tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, has been marked with series of clashes between the ruling party and the major oppostion party – PDP.
Two days ago,gunshots were reportedly fired by gunmen in a white Toyota Hilux van on Ezoti Street, close to the Edo High Court Complex, where the tribunal, , was sitting.
A viral video showed the chaotic scene as lawyers, litigants, politicians, and journalists rushed to safety to avoid stray bullets.
The situation was quickly brought under control by heavily armed security operatives, allowing the tribunal proceedings to continue.///
